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

893.00/13578: Telegram

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

Canton, June 29, 1936—4 p.m.
[Received June 29—11:20 a.m.]

Referring to my telegram of June 27, 11 a.m.,⁴⁸ local government controlled press today publishes text of telegram allegedly addressed to Nanking on June 25th by the Southwest Central Executive Committee. Telegram presents five points mentioned in my telegram June 23, noon, and addressed them as “the irreducible minimum to form agenda of the Central Executive Committee at Nanking and, upon passage, to be put immediately into effect”. Telegram concluded by urging that five points be referred to the Standing Committee, that all red tape and formality be dispensed with by that Committee in placing the agenda before the Central Executive Committee, and that under no circumstances should the Southwest’s proposal be allowed to fall into the hands of the Secretariat of the Central Executive Committee.

2. The same press publishes an open letter to the public from Marshals Chen and Li excoriating the Japanese and the attitude of the Nanking leaders. The marshals state that “slander has been our reward for patriotism” and they urge that the country appoint an investigation committee to examine into the matter.

3. Veteran Hsiao Fo Cheng in statement issued by local government press agency accuses Chiang of sophistry in his recent statement to the press at Nanking (published in Hong Kong June 26th) and concludes by ridiculing Chiang’s alleged announcement that he will not become a candidate for the Presidency of China. Hsiao suggests that the People’s Convention is still far distant and that Chiang is presumptuous and highly premature in assuming that he is desired for the office. It is generally believed that military are compelling Hsiao to act as organization’s civilian mouthpiece and that he and many other individuals and organizations are being ordered to sign a seemingly unending series of proclamations et cetera prepared by the military.

4. Another informant just arrived from Kwangsi confirms previous reports of heavy troop movements northward. Informant reports tremendous increasing feeling in Kwangsi against Pai because of currency situation and conviction that Pai’s challenge to Nanking is suicide. American missionaries at Kweilin, Kwangsi, have telegraphed that they left that city yesterday en route to Canton. Previous letters stated they would evacuate in the event of threatening developments in Kweilin area where there had been persistent but unconfirmed reports of fighting to the north.

5. Reliable information from northwest Kwangtung reports movement of approximately 30,000 Kwangtung troops into Lokchang and Namyung area in northern Kwangtung between June 10th and 20th but none since latter date.

6. At 3 a.m. yesterday sandbag barricades were placed on road in Canton suburb where Marshals Chen, Li, the Provincial Chairman and other high officials reside. Following foreign inquiry as to significance of barricades they were hastily removed with statement that construction was merely practice measure. Authorities apparently taking special precautions but have not declared martial law. Canton outwardly quiet though there is apprehension that there may be serious developments about July 10th and persistent rumors that Yu Han Mou will take over local control from Chen.

7. Reuter’s Canton correspondent today reports representative as stating that Kwangtung and Kwangsi will send seven delegates to Shanghai July 8th prepared to attend plenary session July 10th if Nanking gives satisfactory assurances of adoption of the five points mentioned in paragraph 1 of this telegram. Local official has just denied truth of Reuter report and alleges that the two provinces will send two special representatives direct to Nanking to negotiate.

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

Spiker

48. Not printed.