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1931: The Eastern Expedition Redux or the Invasion that wasn't
1931: The Eastern Expedition Redux or the Invasion that wasn't
The 13th Dalai Lama
The Chinese reassertion of sovereignty in Tibet, Sinkiang and the various autonomous provinces in the east would serve as a model by which a peacefulZhōngguó tǒngyī (or reunification) would proceed in years to come. Chinese diplomatic finesse, Soviet support and the threat a brutal military intervention by the rapidly expanding National Revolutionary Army (which had swelled to a paper strength of 10 million soldiers (!) by mid-1931) would prove sufficient to cow the 13th Dalai Lama, the autonomist governor of Sinkiang Jin Shuren and the various bandits and warlords that populated the region. Chiang's preferred method of negotiation was simple - he invited the Dalai Lama and Jin Shuren to Nanking for a "Conference."
Seemingly endless lines of Chinese soldiers paraded past the two men.
When the two men arrived they were subjected to a confusing barrage of psychological messages. They were attended to see the "military might of new China," they saw a parade of 'never-ending soldiers' march past their balcony. The specially arranged one million soldiers tramped past the balcony in an orderly procession and the two men stood in the sweltering Nanking heat for nearly 6 hours. They were then taken to see the preparations of a "Special Assault Group" undertaking special mountain training.
The Fiat 3000 was used to great effect when dealing with foreign dignatories.
The two men were then taken to a tank part where they saw what seemed to be endless rows of Fiat 3000's. (In fact many of these tanks were cardboard models and they were not suitable in any way for the heavilly rugged terrain) Their day ended with a demonstration of 'precise techniques of modern night bombing' where a specially prepared squadron completely leveled a concrete bunker while the two men and Chiang watched through binoculars. At the end of the night Chiang posed the question: "Do you really think you can stand against the might of China?" and offered them relatively lenient terms. The two men could continue their status as relatively independent 'autonomous provinces' - in return they would submit to Nanking and fly the Chinese flag. The two provinces would be autonomous in domestic policy and would be left alone as long as they obeyed the instructions of Nanking. Completely cowed, tired, demoralized, dehydrated and hungry (the two men had been kept without food or water and not permitted toilet breaks) they relented. Jin Shuren's plane would 'accidentally crash' on his way back to Sinkiang and a more pliant governor - Sheng Shicai - would be installed. The Dalai Lama was allowed to return to Lhasa safely with a heavy 'advisory team' who would pull the strings. The Dalai Lama might pretend otherwise - but he had effectively become a mere puppet and had even less power than a typical provincial governor. Another section on the long winding road to reunification had been crossed and it had been accomplished cheaply.
A beaming Chiang pleased with himself.
Chiang was the major winner in these negotiations. He had gained land without having expended any political, economic or military resources - his steely statesmanship and foreign enemies distracted by economic and political crisis was unable to respond. China's main threat - Japan had seen a failed military coup early in the year and the civilian administration was lurching from crisis to crisis.Trotsky was also a winner, his theory of an "Army-in-being" had scored China it's military coup and his genius at raising and outfitting a 10 million strong army had won him plaudits both at home and in the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had also gained significantly, with Chinese gratitude at Soviet support for recovering Sinkiang seemingly securing China as a member of the "Soviet Sphere" China seemed to be prospering while the west was languishing. The Chinese had also had learned a new response in the diplomatic game - previously her entire diplomatic game was limited to a simple response: concessions, concessions and concessions. Now that China finally had the strength to resist would it? Had the wheels of history finally turned?
Thanks to everyone for their feedback and comments (I'll respond to them when I get home - I'm actually updating this during a lull in a LAN party.)
Feedback and comments always appreciated
The 13th Dalai Lama
The Chinese reassertion of sovereignty in Tibet, Sinkiang and the various autonomous provinces in the east would serve as a model by which a peacefulZhōngguó tǒngyī (or reunification) would proceed in years to come. Chinese diplomatic finesse, Soviet support and the threat a brutal military intervention by the rapidly expanding National Revolutionary Army (which had swelled to a paper strength of 10 million soldiers (!) by mid-1931) would prove sufficient to cow the 13th Dalai Lama, the autonomist governor of Sinkiang Jin Shuren and the various bandits and warlords that populated the region. Chiang's preferred method of negotiation was simple - he invited the Dalai Lama and Jin Shuren to Nanking for a "Conference."
Seemingly endless lines of Chinese soldiers paraded past the two men.
When the two men arrived they were subjected to a confusing barrage of psychological messages. They were attended to see the "military might of new China," they saw a parade of 'never-ending soldiers' march past their balcony. The specially arranged one million soldiers tramped past the balcony in an orderly procession and the two men stood in the sweltering Nanking heat for nearly 6 hours. They were then taken to see the preparations of a "Special Assault Group" undertaking special mountain training.
The Fiat 3000 was used to great effect when dealing with foreign dignatories.
The two men were then taken to a tank part where they saw what seemed to be endless rows of Fiat 3000's. (In fact many of these tanks were cardboard models and they were not suitable in any way for the heavilly rugged terrain) Their day ended with a demonstration of 'precise techniques of modern night bombing' where a specially prepared squadron completely leveled a concrete bunker while the two men and Chiang watched through binoculars. At the end of the night Chiang posed the question: "Do you really think you can stand against the might of China?" and offered them relatively lenient terms. The two men could continue their status as relatively independent 'autonomous provinces' - in return they would submit to Nanking and fly the Chinese flag. The two provinces would be autonomous in domestic policy and would be left alone as long as they obeyed the instructions of Nanking. Completely cowed, tired, demoralized, dehydrated and hungry (the two men had been kept without food or water and not permitted toilet breaks) they relented. Jin Shuren's plane would 'accidentally crash' on his way back to Sinkiang and a more pliant governor - Sheng Shicai - would be installed. The Dalai Lama was allowed to return to Lhasa safely with a heavy 'advisory team' who would pull the strings. The Dalai Lama might pretend otherwise - but he had effectively become a mere puppet and had even less power than a typical provincial governor. Another section on the long winding road to reunification had been crossed and it had been accomplished cheaply.
A beaming Chiang pleased with himself.
Chiang was the major winner in these negotiations. He had gained land without having expended any political, economic or military resources - his steely statesmanship and foreign enemies distracted by economic and political crisis was unable to respond. China's main threat - Japan had seen a failed military coup early in the year and the civilian administration was lurching from crisis to crisis.Trotsky was also a winner, his theory of an "Army-in-being" had scored China it's military coup and his genius at raising and outfitting a 10 million strong army had won him plaudits both at home and in the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had also gained significantly, with Chinese gratitude at Soviet support for recovering Sinkiang seemingly securing China as a member of the "Soviet Sphere" China seemed to be prospering while the west was languishing. The Chinese had also had learned a new response in the diplomatic game - previously her entire diplomatic game was limited to a simple response: concessions, concessions and concessions. Now that China finally had the strength to resist would it? Had the wheels of history finally turned?
Thanks to everyone for their feedback and comments (I'll respond to them when I get home - I'm actually updating this during a lull in a LAN party.)
Feedback and comments always appreciated
- CCA
- Word Count: 720