According to the supporters of General Li Chi-hsin in Hongkong, it is learned that when he left for Shanghai, he never dreamt that Chang Fa-kuei and Huang Chi-hsiang would plan a coup d'état in haig absence. As a matter of fact, he gave Chang Fa-kuei $50,000 for expenses to travel and study military science and tactics abroad. This was virtually a way to buy him off, Li knowing that he had a larger army. Chang said he would first go to Japan, and joined Li Chi-hsin and Wang' Ching-wel on their trip Hongkong en route to Shanghai, But when the three arrived here, Chang. intimated that he would stay in this colony a little while, Ag soon as and Wang left the harbour, Chang Fa-kuei directed the coup from Hongkong with the able assistance of Huang—Chi-hsiang.
ing then returned to Canton and was Immediately elected to be the acting chairman of the Provisional Military Council, An imminent clash between Chang Fa-kGei and Wang Ching-wei on the tone hand and Li Chi-hsin was predicted in my despatch published on November 17. According to a close Geiend of Wang Ching-wel, it is possible that he knew something about the intended coup before he departed from: Hongkong. He is closely identified with the Iron Geraral, Chang Fa-kuei, His many admirers here. venture to believe that in case the fourth session of the Central Executive Committee fails to meet in Shanghai or Nat ing, Wang Ching-wei will return uth under the wing of the Iron They declare that the Cen-special Committee in Nanking totally devoid: of legal justificatand that unless regular meeting of the Central Executive Com mittee will be held in Shanghai, it should be convened in Canton, its birthplace.
The Attitude towards the British The merchante and the general public are relieved that the Iron-ides who are-mostly radicals have not agitated for another boycott of Hongkong or British goods. They fare 20 busy championing Sun Yat sen's idea of controlling military and civil affairs by the Kuomintang that they have no time to devote to foreign questions. Mr. Chu Chai hsin, former Chinese Minister to Great Britain, is appointed as Commissioner of Foreign Affairs. Re-fe ently he declared in a speech that that ho good purpose could be served by: anti-foreign agitations. With such a man in office, there appears no reason wiy another boycott of Hongkong can gather strength.
Te is true, however, that the fron-sides are quite friendly with certain extremists and communists. In one of their many slogans, they say:—"Down with the communists who tempt to destroy the Kuomintang". Tu other words not all communists fare ostracized. This has created fear in the minely of the general pablic.
There was again been a ran on the Central Bank, and a demand for Hongkong banknotes. In Chinese banking circles here, one Local dollar is equivalent to $145 Canton cur rency. To allay. this communist scare, the police department issues
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.