Hongkong, June 9.
'A personal appeal to Gen, Chen Chi-tang, Commander-in-Chief of the Kwanglung Army, to abandon milit~ ary preparations, and urging the folly f independent action against aggres~ ion, is contained In a 1,000-word. (olegram despatched on Sunday to the Southwest military chief by Gen, Chiang Kal-shek, "You cannot gamble the existence of a nation on a momentary impulse, declared the Generalissimo, who emphasized that, while the determination of 'Kwangs!' and -Kwangtung to Yesist aggression had earned nation~ wide sympathy, national salvation must be achieved by concerted efforts the entire people. Separate action, stated, would immediately cause 4 loss of International prest crease the disrespect "of enemies, disappoint her friends, impair the country's ultimate a city of resistance.
The Ganeralissimo's message was a ly to telegrams despatched to the ral Government by Kwangsi and nglung on June. 2 and 4, urging Nanking to declare war against Jo and threatening to Might alone if the Central authorities refused to " cooperate. "Gen. Chiang requested Gen. Chen 10 convey the gist of his message to Gen, Li Chung-Jen, Commanderson-chief of the Kwangsi Army, and Gen, Pel Chung-hsi, second-in-command of the Kwangsi forces.
"Unmitigated Griet Gon. Chiang declared:—"Our countrymen have been deeply moved by the unmitigated grief felt by their brothers, civil and military, in Kwangtung and Kwangsi over the national crisis and their rin determination to save the country by resisting alien aggression. But of late, numerous telegrams have appeared, Indleating that the authorities of the two provinces have been making pre~ parations for independent action, that they have mobilized their troops, and that they have intended to set up new political administrations. I refuse to believe that these rumours have been based "upon fact."
The only way for China to save herself and insure her continued tence, Gen. Chiang pointed out, ice the dangerous, situation use her united strength to the same end. Should there be Ineking a. fixed. policy, the country, in the event of one part of it starting a'movement independent of the rest, would surely lose its dignity and for-felt the respect which is her due. "In ne added, "those who still rooter contempt, while those who ove us would' withhold their help.
Ca-ordination Need know that you cannot bear to see those who wish to save the coun-conversely injuring Its. strength and degrading its position in the family of nations," Gen, Chiang continued, "From the point of view of military principles, any military movement That is to be" successful should be executed under one single command, and should be well coordinated, 'Take an international war, for illustration. Even the troops of a friendly power are moved about only after careful consultation with the General Staff of its ally, whereby, through their combined' efforts, the common object is attained. You, Tam sure, are well aware of these military principles. If you suddenly mobilize troops in the hope of secur Ing assistance elsewhere later, but without previous consultation, it is berlain that your status og military men would be adversely affected.
"Moreover, the matter of war or peace is of great Importance to both the party and the nation, How can you Fefuse, on account of a momen. tary impulse, to seek the views of the majority in deciding upon vital "a matier which concerns Wife of a nation? You cana gamble the existence of a nation race on a momentary impulse!
"During these few days, there have been many rumours in circulation which have aroused much suspicion and distrust. Critics have gone so far to observe that, if Kwantung and Kwangsi have really taken the action reported, they are going to obtain results which would be the direct apposite of their wish to save the country, Knowing you, as I do, to be true patriots, I refuse to believe that you. will Tend a hand in the movement "which would show {0 others the weak point of being divided among ourselves
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.