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1923 - The Year of Consolidation

After having successfully pacified Yunnan and Guanxi province in the preceeding year - the Kuomintang found itself in control of 3 provinces in the South. This year would be marked as the year of consolidation as the Kuomintang secured their rule. This year was marked by a burst of frentic activity and achievement by the Kuomintang such as the establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy, the "Re-proclamation" of the Republic of China and the establishment of a centralized Arsenal system for the National Revolutionary Army. All these steps served to bolster the strenght of the Kuomintang and

The Establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy

Chiang returns to Guangdong and establishes the Whampoa Military Academy. Officers currently serving in the National Revolutionary Army are encouraged to enroll for 'refersher courses.'

The basic curriculum is an intensive 6 month course designed primarily to teach basic infantry tactics and leadership with emphasis being placed on front-line leadership. Cadets who have successfully completed the course are given the starting rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Promising graduates of the basic curriculum are encouraged to take part in the 'advanced' classes which teach logistics and other specialized courses (artillery, aviation, signalling, etc.) This training takes an additional 1 year of training and graduates start out with the rank of "Captain." The most promising are taken to 'expert' level courses with an additional 2 years of schooling graduating with the rank of Colonel. Compulsory 'political' education classes are also present at every level.

The Academy is staffed by an odd combination of native Chinese veterans from the various NRA expeditions, Soviet advisors, expatriate German troops and White Russian emigres. By the end of the year there are a number of prominent instructors such as Erich Von Ludendorf (encouraged to go to China after participating in the failed Beer Hall Putsch started by Chiang's friend Hitler) and Vasily Blucher ("Galen")

The Academy is significant in that it symbolizes Chiang's desire to have a professionally trained army. Militarily it Politically the Academy was split into political lines with the "Right" gravitating towards Ludendorf and Chiang and the "Left" gravitating towards Galen and the other soviet advisers.

The 'Re-proclamation' of the Republic of China

On the 4th anniversary of May Fourth, President Sun Yat-Sen asserts the legitemacy of his government and calls for diplomatic recognition for the 'genuine, popular and legitimate' Chinese Government based in Guangzhou. He denounces the Beiyang governments as a pack of 'rabid warlords' and asserts the Kuomintang's control over "all of China."

With this proclamation Sun issues a series 'guiding documents' where he outlines his desire that China be govered according to the 'Three Principles of the People'

The First Principle of Mínzú
The principle of 'Minzu' means "Government of the (Chinese) People." In this principle Sun lays out his belief that China must develop a form of 'civic nationalism' to unite China rather than 'ethnic-nationalism.' Sun also makes vague references to 'guarding China's sovereignty' - however he takes care not to openly antagonize the western powers.

The Second Principle of Minquan
Translates as 'Government by the People." Sun lays out is belief that the people should have 'rights' to 'representation,' through an elected National Assembly.

The Third Principle of Minsheng
Translated as the 'People's Welfare'. Sun believed that Chinese people deserved a basic (high) standard of living through government attempts at improving social welfare. Under this principle a land reform programme would be initiated and schools and hospitals funded.

Although the foreign reception was mostly muted with only the Soviet Union, Germany and Italy recognizing Sun Yat-Sen's governent by the end of the year, the implications for the future of China is enormous. The Kuomintang are now seen as the leading force by Chinese people to unite the country.

Continued Military Reforms

The year 1923 saw a further acceleration of the military reforms. Besides the foundation of The Whampoa Military Academy, a field hospital system was designed and an arsenal established in Guangzhou.

Equipment standardization is proceeding smoothly with the Guangzhou Arsenal purchasing and manufacturing modified local copies of the German Gewher 88. The Chinese model is known as "Type 88" or even sometimes the "Guangzhou 88." This model is modified to have an integral cover to prevent dust and grime from entering the exit point at the bottom of the barel and an integral bayonet receiver. Although there are initial defects with the early Guangzhou 88's falling apart after one shot - the arrival of Ludendorf and other military experts fixes the design flaws. This modified version becomes famous for it's ruggedness and reliability becoming adopted as the standard service rifle of the National Revolutionary Army and was still in active service as late as 1970.

The Guangzhou arsenal also starts producing a standard light machine gun a modified version of the french Chauchat known as the Type 1 Light Machine Gun or the "Guanzhou Light Machine Gun." The modified version corrects the glaring flaws of the original french version with covers for it's magazine and a 50 round magazine firing the 7.92 x 57mm Chinese Standard Ammunition. Despite this the weapon still suffers from excessive recoil and grime and dust continue to affect the weapon. However the light machine gun has the advantage of being easily manufactured which results in it's adoption as the standard light machine gun for the National Revolutionary Army.

The standardization of a light-machine gun and a service rifle was a significant achievement for the Guangzhou Arsenal - one that would take a full year to complete.

Next Update 1924 - Continued Reforms