893.00/14200: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Linnell) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 21—8:05 p.m.]
Following fall of Nanking and Central Government’s instructions respecting guerrilla warfare plan, Kwangtung military, civil and Kuomintang authorities have been making great efforts in an ambitious program best describable as martialization both military and mental of the masses. Apparent objects are:
- (1)
- Arouse in the people and particularly peasant laborers and students an aggressive fighting spirit and conception of the war as continuation of Sun Yat Sen’s popular revolution against foreign imperialist invaders and traitorous northern militarists who would sell country for degrading peace and pecuniary profit;
- (2)
- Impress people with sense of responsibility to actively share the Government’s military defence of Kwangsi, “cradle of revolution,” and combating of Japanese agents and peace advocates;
- (3)
- Raise huge armed citizen forces for garrison duty, pioneer service, and guerrilla warfare.
Authorities have issued manifestoes: Exhorting popular support of program; inviting complete freedom in volunteer self-defense corps organization and political activities within framework of Sun’s doctrine; encouraging populace in hitherto forbidden private possession of arms (said to include 400,000 rifles) and their dedication to patriotic usage.
Movement has been boosted by tremendous press publicity and by officially encouraged student activity in leading popular demonstrations and organizing young men’s militant associations and propaganda campaigns, and authorities have decreed that certain students be sent to popularize it throughout interior. Revolutionary aspect of movement is being capitalized to encourage its backing by labor groups.
Several hundred thousand new rifles reliably reported being distributed to interior farmers.
A commission including highest military, civil and party authorities has been appointed to supervise program, active direction to be entrusted to nine regional leaders apparently responsible for all measures, militia organization, training, coordination of volunteer self-defense corps and emergency defense of their regions in cooperation with regular army. These leaders thus far announced are all colorful military and party figures and pro-war popular front enthusiasts reportedly including Chen Ming Shu, Tsai Ting Kai and Li Fu Lin.
While program is not yet in full operation it is reported reliably that organized armed militia under training already number about 200,000 with several hundred thousand more enrolled.
Definitely Leftist in appearance, the movement emphasizes special concern for popular, especially farm labor, welfare and apparently supports closer relations with Russia and democratic countries and the policy of destruction of Japanese and surrendered Chinese properties.
Identic coordinated movements are reported in Kwangsi and Hunan though the program is less significant in Kwangsi due to the province’s already highly developed militia and police training systems.
While it is too early to estimate the movement’s full significance and possible consequences, there appears no doubt of its present support by national and provincial governments and its proof of South China’s determination to see the war through.
Mailed Hong Kong, Swatow.