CO129-500-4 Canton situation- governor's despatches 15-9-1927 - 24-11-1927 — Page 39

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delayed giving you a reply. During the past several

months, our troops experienced extreme difficulties. At

first they were faced with the violent outrages of the Communists at Shanghai, and had unfortunately to purify the Kuomintang with all determination. They were then molested by Wuhan planning an Eastern Expedition against them, and they therefore had to make a speedy transfer of

their troops for the defence of their territories. All

this caused great hindrance to our military operations,

and helped to increase the power of our enemies in the

North. Considering what is of greater importance, we cannot but endure the hardship and concentrate all our strength against the North, and the absence of r. Tseung Kai Shek at the front is for the same object you have referred to. We appreciate your good advice very much; how can we dare not to do our utmost to support your

great scheme? We hope that you will advise us any time

so that we can cope with the situation adequately, and

then it will be a great boon to our Kuomintang and nation

What you have said in your telegram of the 28th, that

when things turn out beyond our control, he who is to

blame will be known, are indeed golden words. By the

telegram of Mr. Wong dated the 24th, we understand that

strict orders have been given by him to have all the

Communists eliminated from the various organisations.

appears to us that he has taken a stronger measure to

meet the situation than what he did in Canton on the

20th March last year in allowing no Communists to become

Ministers in any Ministry, or to be elected to be more

than one-third of the members of any Committee. We must

rely on your assistance to guide him to the proper path step by step, but we dare not expect too much from you.

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