Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-01
COUP RUMoRs RIFE.
Reports Says Disorders Are Aimed at
Nationalist President.

Reports Says Disorders Are Aimed 1t
Nationalist President.
ny the Associated Press.
HONGKONG, May Reports OF
coIIp d'etat at Canton were both re-
iterated and denied Today, but gave
rise to the general opinion among
Chinese observers that the movemenI
was one designed to strip Chang Kali
Shek head of the Nationalist govern
ment, Of some of his influence. =.
Rrnnors that Chen Chi-Tang, mill
tarv governor of Canton, had assumed
control of the southern metropolis re-
manned unverified, but the unrest III
that area was regarded as the WORK
of a conservative group OF kuomintang
leaders who diSfavor CnlanBS aneSeu
progressive tendencies.
The Kuomintang, or Peoples party.
"a the political organization benino the
Nationalist government. but ior more
than a wear 1t has been SupJecCeo 70
defections by various groups opposed
to the administration.
Canton Opposes Constitution.
The Southern recalcitrantS were be-
f,eved here to be violently opposed 70
Chiang's desire that the government
At the peoples congress at Nanklng.
berinning May 5, adopt q provisional
constitution containing o clause Great
ing a President Of China.
Although Chang now u Known -
president CT the Nationanst goveLnnc,u ~.
Surpestion as O step that would exeeno
the limits Of his personal dictatorsnlp
IN government affairs. The southern,
ers favor party rule over tnoivlduaI
authority and view the Forthcoming
PEOPLES congress as q likely agency for
.frengthening Chiang's position.
Chen Chi-Tang Is consloereo msxeS
a nawn in the hands Of the Southern
Kuomintang group, which ID suppose1a
20 be directing the Canton movement
from behind the scenes.
Goal 70 Force Chang 0ut
The immediate goal Of the movement
was regarded here as an attempt 70
persuade Kwangtllng Province, OK wn1cn
Eantnn In the CAPITAL, ana the neighbor-
20 Kwangsi province, TO declare tneir
Independence from Marking, naming Is
the price of their return to the Nan.
king fold Chiang's assumption OF less
prominent position In National1s gov
eminent affairs.
Observers say the Southern conserve.
tives have allies throughout China ana
that among them are government ON.
cials, who, for obvious reasons. cannos
openly declare themselves. This group
aileQedly includes Sum 70, minister OF
railways for the Nationalist government
and son Of the late Dr.. Sum Yat-Sen,
founder of the Kuommtang ana the
Chinese republic. Chang once was
subordinate Of DR.. Sum.
The disaffected group also - said 70
include Wang Chung-Hui, head Of the
judicial branch OF the Nationalist gov.
ernment. and HUI Han-AGin, prominent
Conservative, whom Chang recently
confined because Of his opposition %
the provisional constitution.
Canton reports this afternoon oAtd
the situation was quiet.
Chen Ming-Shu. civn governor Of
Kwangtung, was reported 10 have e.
clined to participate In the anu-Cna-
ang Kai-Shek movement.
Declaration In Expected.
the Canton group was believed about
20 issue 4. statement attacking Chiang's
policies. declaring virtual Independence
for Kwangtlng and Kwangsi, naming
Koo Ying-Fan, Kwangtung provincial
treasurer, IS acting governor Of the
province, and appointing Chen Chi
Ting as commander In chief Of the
Kwangtung- Kwangsi military forces.
Chinese observers SAID Cnen Cni-
Tang already had started troop concen.
frattons preparatory 70 supporting the
anticipated declaration.
Most Of the Canton navy remained
in the haTbor there, its attitude toward
the new alignment unknown.
boarding Of valuables IN the rural
districts was reported continuing and
q similar tendency was reported et Can
ton. Patrols around Shameen Island,
the foreign settlement Of Canton, were
made ready for emergencies.