893.00/6551: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 27—7:22 a.m.]
355. My 347, August 24, 6 p.m. Following from Canton:
“August 25, 6 p.m. Whampoa Cadets occupied Canton today and have already arrested over one hundred government officials supposed to have been implicated in the assassination of Liao Chung-hoi, including brother of Hu Han-min, the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, and formerly acting generalissimo. Whampoa, Cadets are carrying out house-to-house search and hold strategic points. They have also brought in artillery, and fighting is predicted tonight. They may attack General Li Fok-lam on Honan Island.
“This is evidently the beginning of the long-expected clash between Pinks and Reds and the Reds have moved first under their Russian advisers. They will have probably the advantage at least in the initial stages of the conflict, but many of the Cantonese leaders are opposed to Russian Communists. Department is not informed.”