To the Editor of the '"Nontu-CuiNa Datx News Sin—I beg the hospitality "of your columns to call your attention to a misconception which exists in the minds of many Britishers in China and in the home country and which may, in the future, lead to serious nfisunderstandings, if not further complicate the issues, beween China and Great Britain 1 am referring to the confusion be tween the Kuo-Min Tang, "Left" and the Communist Party of Chit Both are referred to as "the extremists." Prominent "Leftists are frequently identified with the Communists or called "notorious pro-communists," ete. Before July 1027, during the period of cooperation between the Kuo-Tang: and the Third International, such an identifeation had a certain basis in fact, But then it was not only the "Left" who advocated the lance with Soviet Russia and the a Taternational, but practically' all the prominent memberg_ of the" present Nanking Administra tion, suca_as Hu Han-min, Sun Fo, T. V. Soong, Tan Yen Kal, ete, Generat 'Chiang' Kai-shek himself during 1925-26 often expressed the opinion that the Chinese National Revolution. was organically related "to the World Revolution and that, therefore, the Kuo-Min Tang should accept the directions of the Third' i International, Wang Ching-wel at Canton always insisted that Borodin was merely an adviser without right to vote. Borodin used to declare that "No matter whether Communist or Kuo-Min Tang, all must obey General Chiang." It. had been due to General Chiang's action, in. placing guards at the disposal of Borodin after an attempted assassination, that the myth had spread that Borodin had become the super-Governor at Canton. The C.E.C. meeting of the Kuo-Min Tang which on. December 0th, 1927 decided on the suspension of diplomatic relations with Soviet Russia, was held under the Chair~ manship of Wang Ching-wei, the Leader of the "Left.
"The suggestion that the "Left" Leaders have any connection either with the Third International oF with Soviet Russia is most violent ly resented by them, as any one) acquainted with their writings jin, and with. the editorials of, the "South China Daily News" (Hongkong), the leading organ of the "Left" in China, can testify, The Hongkong Communist paper, the "chiao dik Pao," from its "very establishment last, year until its prohibition by "the Hongkong Government a few days ago, devot-its editorials principally to attack the Left and its leader Wang Ching-wei, rather than Chiang Kai-shek and' the Nanking Government, The defeat of the Tronsides and their Kuangsi_ allies in Kuangtung last December was due to a certain extent to their being suddenly attacked in their year by Communist troops. After their defeat they retreated to Southern Kuangsi where they suppressed m Communist insurrection in Lungehou and Paksik. The Communists were at that time also looting and plundering several French missionary stations, fact appreciated by the French] Government of Indo-China. Hence! we are witnessing the curious! spectacle of Communist troops] being left unhindered by the} Nanking armies who at best put up sham fights against them, while being attacked by, or attacking, the Left armies they are supposed to support, While so many still unsettled, the confusion of the "Left Communists cannot, changes in prospect, help to create smooth relations with the new: Government, when eventually to. all kinds ' of misunderstand and possibly even to the revi fof the cursed civil war in China It is in a spirit of appeal that: T address to you this letter, hoping by its publication to contribute something, however insignificant, to the better understanding Chinese polities among the West erners, which is essential if the Great' Powers are to formular the right policy towards China, which alone can secure permanent peace in the Pacific to the benefit of every one concerned. i of the and the Author of "The Foundation of Modern China," "The Inner: History of the Chinese Revolu-
Hongkong, June 30, 1930.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.