Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The Far East, Volume IV

893.00/13617: Telegram

The Consul General at Canton (Spiker) to the Secretary of State

Canton, July 14, 1936—11 a.m.
[Received 5:30 p.m.]

Following constitutes part 2 of my telegram July 13, 11 p.m.

On the basis of information from trustworthy sources which accords well with Hong Kong press reports and other signs, it appears that the Southwestern military leaders, upon learning of Yu’s defection, held an all night conference July 10 at which Chen in desperation agreed to the following program: (1) The “purging” of any remaining pro-Nanking elements from Chen’s official personnel; (2) the shortening of Kwangtung’s defence lines by withdrawal southward from border; (3) appointment of Chiang Kuang Nai⁶⁹ to head new 19th Route Army to be immediately organized with nucleus of 10,000 [from] Chen Wei Chou’s⁷⁰ salt guards, the best trained and equipped troops in Kwangtung; (4) Kwangsi’s despatch of two divisions to North Kwangtung and one to Canton to reenforce Kwangtung forces; (5) compensatory Kwangtung financial assistance to Kwangsi. With the exception of item (2), there are convincing indications that this program is being energetically followed, among which may be mentioned: the fact that Chen is now manifestly filling high posts vacated by deserters with pro-Kwangsi officers; that according to persistent reports by usually well-informed Chinese, Chen has just executed a secretary of Hu Han Min on the ground that secretary plotted with Yu Han Mou; that Chen, hitherto hostile to 19th Route Army, is suddenly making most obvious efforts to curry their favor; and that trustworthy reports indicate practical certainty that Kwangsi troops are already en route for Canton down the West River where, as well as at Canton, Southwest military authorities for the past 3 days have been commandeering large numbers of towboats and other craft for troop transport. In regard to item (2), it is reported that certain officers of the old 19th Route Army are holding out and insisting that Chen Ming Shu⁷¹ be recalled to head army but that Marshal Chen flatly rejects such proposal. With arrival of Kwangsi forces in Canton, Chen’s opposition is expected to be swept aside.

2. Local situation tense although there is general belief that there will not be fighting in or in immediate vicinity of Canton.

3. Sent to the Department, Peiping, Nanking, Shanghai and Hankow.

Spiker

69. Commander at Shanghai in 1932 hostilities with Japanese forces and a leader of rebel regime in Fukien, 1933.
70. Brother of Marshal Chen Chi-tang.
71. Vice President of the Chinese Executive Yuan (Vice Premier), January-June 1932, and a leader of rebel regime in Fukien, 1933.