CO129-512-1 Political situation in China- and Canton 30-11-1928 - 23-5-1929 — Page 21

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traffic on the Kowloon Canton Railway was suspended

and by the evening the defection to the side of

Kwangsi of the Canton Navy was reported to be an

accomplished fact; and further that the Cantonese

troops had refused to fight and that Admiral Chan

Chak and General Ch'an Chai-t'ong were on their way

to Hong Kong. More cannot be said at present; but

adherents of the Kwangsi party have for some days

been alleging that some such coup would take place,

which would result in the assumption by General Tsui King-t'ong of the Office of Commander-in-Chief

in Kwangtung.

8.

Another name which has frequently been

mentioned in this connection is that of General

Ch'an Kwing-ming.

Since his expulsion from the

province in 1924, this general has been living in

retirement in Hong Kong; but his followers have for

some time been active and many of them have already

obtained posts under the Canton Government. I

enclose copy of a memorandum by Dr. R.H. Kotewall regarding an interview with General Chan. I do

not myself consider that the "Great Republican

Confederation" is likely to prove a factor of any

particular importance in Chinese politics, although

as a convenient figurehead the General may perhaps

be able to influence the situation locally.

9. I also enclose a copy of a memorandum by

Sir Shou-son Chow of an interview with General Chan

Ming-shu. It appears to have been the fact that

with one or two exceptions the commanders in Kwangtung and Kwangsi were opposed to war between

the

Enclo. No. 3.

Enclo. No. 4.