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Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

Minister, Sir MILES LAMPSON, who had arrived in Peking in the middle of December. At a dinner at his house, Sir ERIC TEICHMAN and Mr O'MALLEY as well as other members of the British Legation being present, I narrated the whole story of the enterprise — its origin, development and aims. Such openness could not fail to make an impression on those present. I myself recall this particular evening with pleasure, as it brought me into closer contact with a select circle of real English gentlemen, who showed me both understanding and sympathy, and manifested great interest in my far-reaching plans. Mr O'MALLEY was kind enough to give me an opportunity of studying General PEREIRA'S map of his journey from Peking to Urumchi, which he had in his keeping and which covered the very tracts to which I intended to travel.

KUOMINTANG ADVANCING

Meanwhile — China was seething. Kuomintang was gaining ground, and members both of the Government and of CHANG TSO-LIN's circle sympathized with this new political view, which reckoned its most reliable friends among professors and students. One felt that a new era was dawning over the old China. The nationalistic EUGENE CHEN coined the maxim: »A people that is determined not to die cannot live in peace with its conquerors — it chooses its opportunity to break free » — words that were directed against the foreigners in China.

VISIT TO CHANG TSO-LIN

Marshal CHANG Tso-LIN, who was hostile to Soviet Russia and to Japan, governed Manchuria and North China with skill and firmness, but felt the ground

trembling beneath his feet. Initiated Europeans, among them the sinologue IVANOV, did not believe that he had any future in China. When we discussed

what would happen after the preliminary expedition we could not avoid the thought that by that time neither CHANG Tso-LIN nor his government would be in possession of power.

At the end of January I tried to obtain an audience with the marshal in his head-quarters in the western part of Peking. It was difficult to get hold of him, as he was continuously engaged in counsels of war or in reviewing troops. His secretary for foreign affairs, Mr Wu CHIN (Ou TsING), stated my desires to his chief, who answered simply: »What shall I speak with him about — I don't understand such learned matters ». But on January 3oth he received me and we had half an hour's conversation. He promised to support the preliminary expedition in every way. He also promised to wire to the Governor-General of Sinkiang, Mar-

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