CO129-500-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 29-7-1927 - 1-9-1927 — Page 29

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any principle? It is a strange accusation indeed, the like

of which has never been heard. What militarists aim at is

military bases. But our National revolutionary armies have

handed over to the control of the masses all places which

they have conquered. Militarists are also eager for wealth

and property. I have been in the field for over a year but

I have nothing beyond my own body. Again militarists are

very careful of their own lives, but they take no care of

the lives of their soldiers. All the time during the

Northern Expedition I was ahead of my soldiers, caring not

for my life. Militarists have been used to obtaining supp- lies from the Imperialists, but I have received no guns,

ammunition and funds from the Imperialists. Our nati onal

revolutionary armies have fought over a distance of several

thousand miles, and have made sacrifices for the sake of

their principles, and not for my own benefit. I have

encouraged all my soldiers in the Northern Expedition with

this end in view and they have encouraged me with it in

return. The Communists' libel is not only directed against

me but also against the 30,000 martyrs who have died for our

national revolution. If I have done anything wrong, I am

willing to resign myself to be seriously punished by the

Kuomintang and our masses. Even if the Communists deny

their saying that virtuous men are slaves, I have my own

character for criticism by future generations.

Our Kuomintang is a responsible political party, and

therefore we can tolerate no irresponsible prejudicing of

it by the Communists. When we advocate that China should be

governed by the Kuomintang, we have our own aspirations and

purposes. We are at liberty to suggest any theory at any

time