CO129-499-4 Canton situation- governor's despatches 18-3-1927 - 22-4-1927 — Page 71

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Imperial country. But if a country can abandon Imperialism

and treat us with equality, we can make an alliance with

her. We have adopted this attitude towards Soviet Russia.

As long as Russia does not abandon her treatment of us

with equality, our policy of allying ourselves with Russia

will remain constant. I have already given a clear explanation of this attitude during my stay at Whampoa last year when our Russian comrades were also present.

At the banquet given at Whampoa in honour of the 2nd

Conference of All-China Representatives I then also took

the opportunity of pointing out that our alliance with

Russia had for its object the acquisition of freedom and

equality for China, and that it was because Russia is a

race that has treated us with equalit, that we allied

ourselves with her, and also that when Soviet Russia no

longer treats us with equality but oppresses us as

Imperialist counties have done, we would resist her in the same way as we have resisted the Imperialists. If we wish to

have a life-long friendship with anyone, the terms of the

friendship must first be fully understood and there must

be no reserve as between strangers. in the first circum-

stances it was understood that Soviet Russia would not

exercise any oppression over us, and we in retum would adhere to our pro-Russia policy. The high-handed treatment of the leader of our Kuomintang by the Russian Representa-

tives may be an insult to our Party, but this is only the

action of individuals and as far as I know not of the

Soviet Government. I can safely say then that such an

action by individuals has nothing to do with Soviet Russia,

and we cannot allow it to affect our friendship with Russia

and the policy of China towards Russia. It would be a

mistake to allow our pro-Russia policy to be affected by

the individuals who represent Russia, We are well aware

that