CO129-512-2 Political situation in China- and Canton 31-5-1929 - 13-11-1929 — Page 32

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3.

News of the seizure of the Chinese Eastern

Railway reached Canton about July 12th and, as the

tension in Manchuria grew, the representatives of

the Kuomintang and rival organisations became more and

more vociferous. An anti-Russian demonstration

with the usual speech-making and procession of

civilians and armed men was organised by the

Government on July 24th and further activities were

arranged for August 2nd and 3rd. There was much talk of the despatch of armies to North China, of

enrolment of volunteers and purchase of aeroplanes.

Meanwhile precautions were being taken to deal with any attempt at a communist rising and a renewed

effort to deal with Chu Tak and Mo Chak-tung was set

on foot. These redoubtable commanders had

emerged from the troubles following the expulsion of

Marshal Li Chai-sum with increased forces and had

been threatening another inroad into Kwangtung. Their stronghold is almost a No Man's Land on the borders of three provinces; and hitherto the effective co-operation necessary to suppress them has never

been forthcoming. A further effort is now being

made to secure this.

4. In Hong Kong Communist propaganda on the subject of the dispute between China and the Soviets appeared with surprising rapidity. Early in July

the body of a man had been discovered by the police in an empty house in Kowloon. The body was

subsequently