CO129-512-1 Political situation in China- and Canton 30-11-1928 - 23-5-1929 — Page 183

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12

Enclo. No. 1.

2.

To a reporter Marshal Li stated that he proposed to stay no longer than two months in Canton and that his acceptance of Office in Manking would necessitate his resignation of the post of

Chairman of the Provincial Council. He had

recommended as his successor General Chan Ming-Shu

who had not yet however reached a decision on the

point. His object in visiting Canton was primarily to discuss the disbandment of surplus troops which

would be carried out with due regard to the

suppression of piracy. In reply to a question he said that while he personally was opposed to

legalised onium smoking the problem could only be

dealt with in conjunction with the neighbouring

provinces of Yunnan, Kweichow and Kuangsi all of

which derive a considerable revenue from that

source.

3. No events of political importance have

occurred in Kuangtung during the past month, and any readjustments have been held over pending

Marshal Li's arrival. A review by General Wong

Shiu-hung of the situation in Kuansi which appeared in the local press is of considerable interest and I enclose a complete translation. The admission

that in the province of Kuangsi, in spite of its proximity to the cradle of the revolution and its estimated population of twelve millions, no more than 6,000 persons are members of the Kuomintang is more startling even than the estimate of 1,000 members quoted for the city of Peking; and when the

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