893.00/13617: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton ( Spiker ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 14—12:05 a.m.]
Referring to my telegram of July 6, 11 a.m.,67 the below summarized information received during the past 24 hours seems definitely to dispose of theory that Chen might be attempting to reach peaceful settlement with Nanking through Yu Han Mou and indicates strongly that Nanking’s appointment of Yu as Pacification Commissioner for Kwangtung and Kwangsi, reported by the Hong Kong press, has in large measure eliminated Chen politically and narrowed the situation to a struggle between Nanking and Kwangsi for the control of Canton with Chen apparently reduced to the role of helpless tool of the latter:
It is reliably reported that Yu’s army is already marching south from Namyung posting placards reading “Down with Chen Chi Tang”; that there have been heavy troop movements up the railway toward Shiukwan; that the railway bridge at Shakou about 35 miles south of Shiukwan was blown up yesterday, allegedly by pro-Nanking soldiers from Pakoahow arsenal following defection of their leader, and further northward troop movements thereby interrupted; and that Waichow is swarming with troops apparently loyal to Chen who are coming down East River, presumably for defense of Canton or under pressure from Yu’s easternmost forces.
Other defections of military and civil officials have been reliably reported. Well-informed sources, though admitting indications of some Nanking bribery, report that genuine opposition to and lack of faith in Chen’s program is so widespread that wholesale further desertions including his Second Army and Navy are likely. At the same time it is admitted that Yu must obtain support soon if he is to check counter defection among his own troops.
(Part 2 of this message will follow.68)
Sent to the Department, Peiping, Nanking, Shanghai, and Hankow.