CO129-512-1 Political situation in China- and Canton 30-11-1928 - 23-5-1929 — Page 177

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improved, for the Five Yuens have been established, and all

the Marshals have had a meeting at the Capital. The various

Yuens have different departments and different committees.

In view of the extensive apheres under the administration of the 5 Yuens and the complication of circumstances, unity in spirit and unanimity of opinion has not yet been secured.

The situation in the Three Eastern Provinces has not

yet been settled, and we cannot foretell what steps will be

taken. The Branch Political Council at Peiping has only a

limited scope in its administration, but as there are too

many official organizations appointed by the Central they

cannot work so smoothly as the Branch Political Councils in

other places.

In Sinkiang, since the death of Yeung Tsang San, the

Russians have been watching very attentively. It is estimated

that 80% of the population of the Province are Mohammedans,

and we do not know very much about their internal condition.

The Central Government has proposed to entrust Pak Sung Hi

with the sole management of the Province as he is a Mohamedan

and has better knowledge of its situation than any body else.

But this cannot be immediately put into effect, for it takes

more than 100 days to reach Sinkiang from Peiping and reserve

funds sufficient for the maintenance of the troops for 3 extra

months must be raised before he can set out on the journey.

If he takes with him funds enough for only 3 months without

any reserve he will have to depend on the support of the

Central Government and will be subject to the danger of

starvation. At present the Central Government has not secured the funds required, and is not in a position to send Pak out for the time being. Pak is quite willing to accept the appointment proposed by the Central Government, but he cannot proceed with the mission for the present and so must wait some

time.

Szechuen