893.00/13550: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Spiker) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 15—2:45 p.m.]
Referring to my telegram of June 14 [13], 4 [5] p.m.28 in statement to press yesterday Marshal Chen denied that Southwest thrust into Hunan has as ulterior motive the overthrow of Chiang and asserted that it was solely for purpose of bringing about adoption of national [Page 208] policy of active resistance to Japan; that the basis for agreement between the Southwest and Nanking is their joint adoption of such policy and that following such agreement adjustments in the Government may be effected by political means. Such statement from Chen considered as only confirmation of statement of his mouthpiece Yu Han Mo as reported in paragraph 2 of my telegram of June 13, 5 p.m.
- 2.
- Marshals Li and Pai apparently embittered and disappointed at failure of other provinces to show sympathy by action or word when the Southwest gave the signal and threw down the gauntlet to Nanking by advancing into Hunan. In statement to the Chinese Government, Li again stresses his conviction of urgent necessity for realistic policy of resistance to Japan; scornfully refers to futility of Chiang’s plan to discuss matter further at second plenary session in Nanking next month; states that attendance of Southwest delegates at session has not been decided upon; and expresses his grievance at Nanking’s disregard of the Southwest’s loyalty and patriotism and at the manner in which Nanking’s censors wrecked the Southwest’s effort to make nation-wide appeal by telegrams to all the provinces. Pai has made no statement since Chen broke his long silence.
- 3.
- There is undoubtedly much genuine anti-Japanese feeling in Kwangtung and Kwangsi and a feeling that historically Kwangtung is looked to by the rest of China to initiate great national movements in times of crisis. However, such feeling is tempered with feeling of distrust of the good faith of present leaders. Many believe, however, that Southwest has maneuvered Chiang into a position where, if he attacks Southwest forces after they have retired to their provincial borders, they may assume role of martyrs suppressed for their patriotic ardor, this resulting in revulsion of feeling toward Chiang throughout the country.
- 4.
- Developments described in my June 13, 5 p.m., and above, have relieved tension generally although next moves of Chiang and the Kwangsi leaders are being watched with much interest and certain apprehension. Local currency has appreciated to 174 to the Hong Kong dollar but business in general remains dead.
- 5.
- Sent to the Department, Peiping, Nanking, Hankow and Shanghai.
- Not printed.↩