As the summer of 1967 faded into autumn, it became increasingly apparent that Mao Tse-tung does not have the power or the following to return the Chinese mainland to the straitjacket of Mao-think.
Indication of this did not arise from any dramatic and decisive turn of events in the "great proletarian cultural revolution". The mainland struggle for power continued much as before. Anti-Maoists gained ground in some places and lost it in others. The tip-off regarding Mao's weakness came in a series of little hints from Peiping.
People's Daily said the Red Guards are not competent to run the country, and suggested that the "powerholders" of Liu Shao-chi reform and get back to their jobs. Mao's leading propaganda organ even spoke of "semi-overthrowing" the powerholders, which is about the mildest language yet used to reward Red China's "Khrushchev" and his so- called revisionists. Stern measures were taken to stabilize the economy. New efforts were made to get factory workers back to their benches and peasants back to the fields.
Resistance to Mao continued throughout the mainland. Most of the news came from Kwangtung, which is more easily watched than Central and North China. There was heavy fighting in Canton and several divisions of PLA troops were dispatched there. At first they stood on the sidelines. As the chaos grew, they tended to intervene on the Maoist side. In mid-September, anti-Maoists were regrouping in the countryside. Anti-Maoists controlled much of Kwangtung's transportation.
Internal difficulties did not prevent Peiping from lashing out at many of those who have befriended its cause. Prince Sihanouk was moved to pull Cambodian diplomats out of Peiping, although Cambodia is one of the sponsors of the resolution to seat the Chinese Communists in the United Nations. There was trouble with Tunisia. Another border war with the Indians erupted in Sikkim. Red Guards were turned loose to burn the British Chancellery in Peiping. The charge d'affaires and other British diplomats and secretaries were beaten up. Japan was singled out for abuse in connection with Prime Minister Eisaku Sato's three-day visit to Taiwan for talks with President Chiang Kai-shek. Three Japanese correspondents were kicked out of Peiping.
Probably at Peiping's instigation, the Republic of China's Embassy in Saigon was bombed. A campaign of assassinations was undertaken against Republic of China officials and those engaged in the program to aid South Vietnam. The Communists seemed to fear that the success of the program, which is concentrated in agriculture and psychological warfare, would lead to defection of Peiping's small following among the overseas Chinese of South Vietnam.
Sporadic violence continued in Hongkong. There the Chinese Communists had lost what hold they may have had on the people. Hongkong Chinese were deeply angered by indiscriminate bomb attacks, some of which killed children. They were tipping off the police to the location of Communist arsenals. A virtual boycott was in effect against Communist-owned stores selling Communist-made goods.
Mao, the anti-Maoists, and the growing force of mainland anti-Communism are entering the most crucial season of this year. The size of the fall harvest may be as important as the decisions of the PLA. Anti-Maoists were spreading false invitations to workers and the peasantry to go to Peiping to "greet Comrade Mao" on the October 1 "national day". The influx began more than a week before Chinese Communism's biggest celebration. If there has been similar success in urging peasants to harvest only for themselves and their families, a bleak winter lies ahead for Maoism.
President Chiang Kai-shek summed up the mainland situation for Japanese correspondents with a prediction that the turmoil will continue for some time, not to be terminated until return of the Republic of China as peacemaker and reconstruction of the economy. Following is the record of Chinese mainland and peripheral events in the period from August 20 to September 19:
August 20
Communist broadcasts monitored in Taiwan told of a coalition of anti-Mao and anti-Communist forces in Chekiang and Hupeh that was seeking control of the two provinces. Radio Moscow said organized resistance to Mao was increasing throughout the mainland. It said Central and South China were on the verge of civil strife and told of clashes among Red Guards in Tibet. New trouble was predicted for Shanghai. Szechwan was described as the biggest resistance area on the mainland. Maoists were said to be having a hard time keeping the streets clear of bodies in Kwangtung.
Travelers reaching Hongkong told of fighting and bloodshed at many stations on the Peiping-Canton railroad. The engineer of one train was hauled from his cab and beaten to death.
In Hongkong, an eight-year-old girl and two-year-old boy were killed in a terrorist bomb explosion. A magistrate sentenced 20 Communist union members to three years in jail for rioting. They will be deported when their sentences are completed. Peiping charged that the British had stolen Hongkong and threatened to drive them out.
Peiping embassies of Ceylon and Kenya were made the targets of demonstrations.
August 21
Red China issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the British to release Communist journalists and lift the ban on three Communist newspapers "or suffer the consequences". The British charge d'affaires in Peiping refused to accept the ultimatum because of its abusive language. In London, the Peiping "charge d'affaires" was called in and warned against further persecution of British diplomatic personnel in Peiping. The British said they had no intention of letting the offending journalists go free or of permitting the papers to resume publication.
In Hongkong, 11 bombs were found planted in various places—two of them at a children's playground. Community anger mounted at Communist bomb attacks on children.
A Hongkong newspaper said Chinese troops claiming to be loyal to Mao Tse-tung had marched into Canton. London diplomatic sources predicted the Mao regime would collapse unless it called off the "great proletarian cultural revolution".
Burma began evacuating the families of its embassy staff members in Peiping. In Nairobi, Africans demonstrated against the Chinese Communist "embassy".
August 22
Red Guards burned the British Embassy Chancellery in Peiping at the expiration of their "48-hour ultimatum". Two diplomats and two secretaries were savagely beaten. Charge d'Affaires Donald Hopson refused to bow his head in apology to the Peiping regime for events in Hongkong.
Peiping's People's Daily claimed that "president" Liu Shao-chi was opposing Mao-thought as early as 1949. The paper said that when the Communists usurped mainland power, Mao advocated the immediate establishment of cooperatives but that Liu said the production of tractors had to come first.
Two U.S. Navy jets strayed across the Red Chinese border and were shot down. Peiping hailed this as a great victory and accused the United States of war provocations.
Russia's Tass said Red Guards were being armed in Peiping and other large cities.
General Mark Clark, one of the United States Korean War commanders, said military action should be taken against Red China.
Hongkong Communists threatened to cut off food supplies to the colony unless the British capitulated. One Red leader claimed the Communists were not responsible for the bombings.
Peiping threatened to break relations with Kenya and protested against Nairobi's ban of Mao's works.
August 23
Britain declined to break off relations with Peiping but hinted that further abuse of its diplomats might have such a result. People's Daily expressed approval of the Red Guard burning of the Chancellery and the beating of British personnel.
Izvestia asserted that an agreement between Washington and Peiping was still in force, despite the shooting down of two American planes over Red Chinese-controlled territory.
Chou En-lai was reported to have warned Red Guards and workers in Canton to stop their armed dispute or face army intervention.
August 24
Communist terrorists burned to death a prominent anti-Communist radio personality, Lam Bun. Lam's brother also was burned and subsequently died. Fire bombs were hurled by Communists along the Hongkong-mainland border. The "New China News Agency" said the Communists in Hongkong were ready to smash British rule at any time.
Chinese Communists diplomats in London were burning documents. Restrictions were placed on their movements.
The British said they were trying to evacuate the wives and children of diplomats in Peiping but that the Red Chinese had not responded.
Peiping protested to Burma over the slaying of a Chinese Communist leader in Rangoon.
August 25
Travelers reaching Hongkong from Canton said that a showdown in the Mao-Liu struggle was imminent there.
An editorial in People's Daily said the Red Guards could not run the mainland, and called for exercise of authority by experienced administrators - even by reformed anti-Mao "powerholders".
Reds fired machine guns and hurled bombs along the Hongkong-mainland border. British troops used tear gas to disperse Communists who were stoning a railroad station and immigration office. One border crossing point was reopened by the British after the construction of new defenses.
A Hongkong newspaper said that Chiang Ching, the wife of Mao, was behind the attack on the British Chancellery in Peiping. London tightened its restrictions against Chinese Communists in Britain. More than 2,500 were forbidden to leave the British Isles.
August 26
Hongkong reports said General Wang En-mao, commander of the Sinkiang military district, was plotting with Russia to deprive Peiping of control over nuclear facilities. Wang was said to have refused to permit Dr. Wang Ping-chan, Peiping's chief nuclear scientist, to leave the Sinkiang capital.
Authorities in Hongkong warned that the Communists might be planning a series of assassinations of leading anti-Communist personalities. The police offered special protection to anyone requiring it. More than a dozen bombs were detected in Hongkong. Five persons were injured in blasts. British reopened the mainland border without incident.
August 27
Sources in Hongkong said Chou En-lai was angered by the burning of the British Chancellery in Peiping. He was said to have ordered the punishment of those responsible. Mao was reported planning to call off the "cultural revolution".
Washington reports claimed North Vietnamese MIG fighters were finding sanctuary at airfields in Red China.
Travelers reaching Hongkong said there had been cannibalism in struggle-racked Canton. Other reports said anti-Maoists there were putting up a desperate resistance against Mongolian troops of Peiping's 47th army. Those captured by the troops, who are notorious for their ruthlessness, were said to have disappeared.
Hongkong police fired tear gas at demonstrators and continued their arrests of Communist conspirators.
August 28
Radio Chekiang asserted that anti-Maoists were instigating peasants to swarm into the cities to wage a struggle against Mao and his supporters. Radio Shanghai said two anti-Maoists were tried by a kangaroo court and executed. At Canton, anti- Maoists were said to have blown up several gunboats.
Chinese Communists in Hongkong killed a British army demolition expert with a booby trap and threatened to assassinate six anti-Communist leaders as they had radio comedian Lam Bun.
Macao sources reported Communist plans to build up the harbor there as a rival to Hongkong. Most shipping and trade authorities doubted that it could be done.
India told of an increased influx of Tibetan refugees as the result of Red Guard activities.
August 29
Intelligence in Taipei reported anti-Maoist gains in Yunnan and Kiangsu. Maoists were said to have been driven from the people's council headquarters in Kunming, the capital city of Yunan. Fighting was going on in Wuhsi, an industrial city near Shanghai.
Travelers from Canton said Chinese Communist guards along the Hongkong border had tightened precautions against any attempt at a massive exodus. Kwantung people were said to fear all-out civil strife.
Canton wall papers accused anti-British Communists in Hongkong of being anti-Maoist.
A Hongkong court sentenced three Communist newspaper officials to three years in prison, fined them, and ordered their paper suspended for six months. Police uncovered a bomb factory and arrested 14 persons.
Chinese Communist diplomats and British police fought bloody battles outside the Peiping mission in London. The Chinese Reds wielded axes and sticks and threw bottles.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik said diplomatic relations with Peiping might be suspended. Trade will be increased with the Republic of China, he said.
Macao demonstrators carried little red books of Mao thoughts in demanding that Catholic schools permit students to engage in political activities.
August 30
Red Guards demonstrated against the British in Peiping, protesting the reprisals taken in London. Foreign Secretary George Brown urged "foreign minister" Chen Yi to discuss the crisis in relations.
Maoists claimed to have suppressed a rebellion in Lanchow, the site of Peiping's biggest nuclear arsenal.
Chinese from Canton said in Hongkong that most of the factories in South China's largest city had been shut down since July as a result of Red Guard disturbances. Gunboats fought a battle with an anti-Maoist junk on the Pearl River. Tanks were used against anti-Maoists in Canton streets.
Radio Kiangsu broadcast an attack on Hsiao Wang-tung, former chief of the Nanking military garrison and a "vice minister of culture". He was described as a "faithful black general" for Liu Shao-chi.
Hongkong's riot and bomb toll since mid-May reached 33. The Communists were beginning to make more sophisticated bombs of the timed variety.
Radio Hupeh said bitter fighting was continuing in the Wuhan industrial complex.
British Charge d'Affairs Donald Hopson was roughed up by Red Guards once more and his head forced down in gesture of apology. Peiping placed the British mission under house arrest and at the same time charged London with engineering two attacks on the Red Chinese legation.
August 31
Hongkong reports said Peiping had failed to send funds for the anti-British campaign. Communist bosses were said to be hiding from those they had employed as rioters and bomb throwers. Informers increasingly were tipping off police to the location of bomb stocks. In Taipei, a Hongkong visitor said the troubles would end by November.
September 1
People's Daily suggested Mao may be prepared to relax the campaign against Liu Shao-chi. The Chinese Communist mouthpiece said Mao's purpose is to "overthrow or semi-overthrow" the Liu powerholders. This was exceptionally mild language. At another point, the editorial said that Liu's headquarters must be destroyed but did not go on to demand that the Chinese Red "Khrushchev" be ousted from his Party posts.
Rival Red Guard groups clashed in Lhasa with heavy casualties. Intelligence sources in Taipei said fighting had spread throughout Hunan. Radio Canton asserted that Maoists had gained control of the city and established a "revolutionary committee" to wield power. Travelers said the Canton situation was chaotic.
A British scientist said Peiping soon will have an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Police in Hongkong confiscated 350 acid bombs. A policeman was critically injured by a Red booby trap.
September 2
Kao Chih-kiang, a freedom-seeker who was chief accountant for a Communist publishing company in Hongkong, said in Taipei that the Reds used the Chunghua Book Company quarters as an arsenal for riot weapons. He defected because of Communist cruelty and the attempt to destroy Chinese culture.
Radio Moscow admitted giving the Chinese Communist captured Japanese weapons at the end of World War II, and complained bitterly of Mao's ingratitude.
Canton-Hongkong rail traffic was disrupted by the chaos in South China. Some reports said Maoists had taken over in Canton. Hongkong authorities reinforced the border fence with barbed wire. The bomb hunt continued and eight persons were arrested.
Peiping told Burma it was sending a delegation to Rangoon to protect the rights and interests of Chinese Communists.
On the Sikkim border, Chinese Reds and Indians engaged in a shouting contest. The Indians were erecting a barbed wire barricade.
A Hongkong newspaper said Mao had ordered Chou En-lai to stop harassing the British mission in Peiping and patch things up with London.
The Peiping freighter Li Ming continued to wage a bizarre propaganda war against the Italian authorities at Genoa. The ship was plastered with slogans and Mao thoughts in defiance of the Italians, who refused to unload the vessel or provision it. The battle had begun on August 13.
September 3
Travelers from Canton said fierce fighting was continuing and that Maoist claims to victory were untrue. They arrived on the first Canton train to reach Hongkong in three days. Anti-Maoists were said to have captured a Peiping gunboat.
The "New China News Agency" 'said the Huks were making big gains in central Luzon.
About 150 pro-Chinese Communist sympathizers marched to the Peiping mission in London waving red banners and portraits of Mao.
Hongkong had one of its worst days of terrorism. A fire station was bombed, the assistant chief killed, and 28 persons injured in the colony. Fifty-six persons were arrested in a raid on a Red headquarters. A police inspector was stabbed 15 times and left lying on a side street. One border post was bombed.
Another Communist propaganda ship arrived at an Italian harbor. It was guided into a mooring remote from the public eye.
September 4
Radio Shantung told of a split in the Mao-Lin group. Some elements were accused of manufacturing weapons with which to pursue their own interests. Peiping broadcasts admitted strikes were continuing in Wuhan.
Czech sources declared that the Peiping "revolutionary committee" has adopted a resolution supposedly inspired by Chou En-lai to slow down the "cultural revolution". A principal goal seemed to be to get people back to work.
Japanese reports said Red Guards had been ordered to respect the property of foreign diplomatic missions.
Radio Peiping described Ulanfu, the Mongolian leader, as a "counterrevolutionary revisionist and a chief culprit who attempted racial division".
Red China boycotted two Red Cross meetings at the Hague, charging that the organization is controlled by the United States.
Peiping charged Burma with torturing a Chinese to death in jail. Buildings owned by the Indian government in Tibet were taken over by the Red Chinese regime.
September 5
Young anti-Maoists attacked and disarmed more than 1,000 regular army troops in two Kwangtung towns, according to travelers reaching Hongkong. In Shanghai, Maoists called on the people to stop seizing weapons from army forces.
Anti-Maoists were reported in control of two railroad stations between Canton and Hongkong.
Three Communist newspaper executives in Hongkong, already sentenced to three years in prison, were given another three years on additional sedition charges.
People's Daily accused a Soviet newsman of "fabricating lies" about the Mao purges. The journalist had been expelled by Peiping.
Peiping signed an agreement with Tanzania and Zambia to build a railroad linking the two countries. No details were made public.
Taipei intelligence sources told of an anti-Maoist faction at Peiping's "People's University". The de facto president, Ku Yin-chiu, was said to be the leader of a group of eight, all of whom have been purged.
Italy finally got the Li Ming to a wharf. Only one propaganda slogan was in evidence as the Chinese Communist freighter began discharging cargo.
September 6
Japanese dispatches said the Maoists had ordered stern measures to stabilize the economy. Tempering of the "cultural revolution" was included. Workers were urged to return to their jobs.
The Liberation Army Daily demanded that Liu Shao-chi be destroyed completely as an "unpardonable criminal". Otherwise, the editorial said, Red China would experience a Soviet-type "great leap backward".
Radio Moscow said the military strength of the Chinese Communists had been greatly weakened during the year of the "cultural revolution". The Russians claimed: (1) all of Peiping's military aircraft are obsolescent, (2) the navy is fit only for coastal defense, (3) just one of 50 submarines is equipped to carry rockets, (4) combat training of the army is of low level and there has been no modernization. The Russians also claimed that the shortage of daily necessities was becoming increasingly serious on the mainland. Many people eat only one meal a day, the broadcast asserted.
Peiping admitted that agents of the United States, Russia, and the Republic of China are active on the mainland. The Red security chief, Hsieh Fu-chih, summoned a meeting to plan suppression of the agents, who are connected with the anti-Mao movement.
Anti-Maoists driven out of Canton by army forces were said to be regrouping in rural areas and planning a renewed assault in the battle for South China. Travelers said the real showdown has not yet taken place.
Lam Bun and his brother were buried quietly in Hongkong. British authorities feared a big funeral would trigger large-scale fighting between Communists and anti-Communists. The Reds aimed their bombs at anti-Communist and British newspapers.
Ceylon said it would not permit large-scale import of Mao badges. In New Delhi, 70 members of the Parliament called on the government to sever relations with Peiping, oppose Red China's entry into the United Nations, and establish diplomatic ties with the Republic of China.
September 7
Inner Mongolia admitted serious damage to industrial and agricultural production as a result of the struggle between Maoists and anti-Maoists. Transportation and the autumn harvest were said to be hard hit.
Pciping denounced Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato's visit to the Republic of China as a "hostile act" against Red China.
A Hongkong court handed out four four-year prison terms to newspaper officials found guilty of sedition. Two of them were among those already tried on other charges.
September 8
Secretary of State Dean Rusk warned the Chinese Communists to keep out of the Vietnamese war. He supported the continued United Nations membership of the Republic of China as "a charter member and a good member; we are not going to surrender the people on Formosa to a dictatorial regime".
Maoists were gaining control of Kwangtung, travelers to Hongkong said—but only following Peiping assurances of financial assistance, political autonomy, and purges of both Maoist and anti-Maoist Red Guards. Anti-Maoists were said to be recouping their strength in rural areas.
Hongkong banned firecrackers and seized all the stocks it could get its hands on (about 30 tons). Communists had been using the powder in making bombs.
Malaysia seized stamps bearing imprints of Mao's thoughts.
September 9
Chinese Communists protesting Prime Minister Sato's visit to Taiwan roughed up Japanese policemen and newsmen in Tokyo.
The "New China News Agency" admitted that an anti-Mao organization had been active underground in Peiping for several months and that its leaders had not yet been apprehended. The charges included a vicious attack on "vice premier" Tao Chu, once a prominent Peiping leader, who was identified as the "political boss of South China".
Hongkong terrorists lobbed three bombs into a police compound and injured a policeman. The roof of Hongkong's leading Communist newspaper blossomed with anti-helicopter barbed wire and iron pipe entanglements overnight. The defenses were installed by black pajama-clad workmen during a single night. Similar defenses had been installed atop the 15-story "Bank of China", generally acknowledged to be the Communist GHQ in Hongkong.
London admitted that more than a dozen Chinese Communists had been expelled from Britain because of activities in support of the Hongkong terrorists.
Indonesia suspended trade relations with Peiping while increasing commerce with Taiwan.
September 10
Japan's relations with Peiping sank to a new low as the Red Chinese kicked out three of nine Japanese correspondents. Those remaining were warned not to pick up news from the "great character posters" on Peiping walls.
Anti-Maoist Red Guards assassinated an investigator who had accompanied Chou En-lai to Canton. A Hongkong newspaper said other members of the investigating group were wounded in the attack outside a factory.
September 11
Indian and Chinese Communist troops fought with artillery, mortars, and automatic weapons in the 14,000-foot pass leading from Sikkim to Tibet. Both sides suffered casualties; each charged the other with aggression.
Liberation Army Daily claimed that the anti-Maoists had undertaken an offensive to smash the "cultural revolution". The "People's Liberation Army" is a principal target, the paper said, because it is the "the great pillar of our proletarian dictatorship".
North Vietnam charged that Prime Minister Eisaku Sato had gone to Taiwan to arrange active Japanese help for the Chinese National Government's counterattack against the mainland.
September 12
Fighting between Indians and Chinese Communists in Sikkim tapered off after two days. Protests were exchanged. However, Peiping propaganda organs scarcely mentioned the incident. This would tend to indicate the causes were local and that no large-scale aggression was planned at this time.
Anti-Maoists in Kwangtung demanded the release of Canton "Mayor" Tsiang Shen and military commander General Huang Yung-sheng, who had been detained in Peiping when they went there to negotiate settlement of the Kwangtung power struggle. They reportedly were charged with being anti-Maoists. The PLA was said to be confiscating the weapons of both Maoists and anti-Maoists in an effort to quell the Kwangtung fighting.
September 13
Clashes broke out anew in Sikkim. The King ordered the evacuation of civilians from Nathula Pass.
Kwangtung fighting flared again. Travelers reaching Hongkong said anti-Maoists attacked pro-Mao Red Guards at Canton stadium. One arrival from Canton said more than 30,000 people were involved in the clash.
Radio Peiping announced the execution of four anti-Maoists on charges of murder and burglary. No names were given. The executions were said to have been ordered by the Peiping "revolutionary committee".
"New China News Agency" revealed that PLA troops were giving military and political training to middle school and college students in Peiping. The core of the studies was said to be the thought of Mao.
Two Chinese Communist diplomats carried out a noisy demonstration inside the British foreign office. Britain protested against Red Chinese seizure of its diplomatic offices in Shanghai.
Prince Sihanouk denounced the Chinese Communists for interference in Cambodia's internal affairs and announced he was recalling Phnom Penh's diplomatic representatives from Peiping. He said Chinese Communist "imperialism is stronger than that of the Americans". Sihanouk has been feuding with the United States for several years.
Communists rioted in a Hongkong court as five Communist reporters and news photographers were sentenced to three years in prison for their participation in demonstrations.
September 14
Red China rejected a ceasefire in Sikkim and continued to shell Indian positions. The Indians fired back. The Indian defense minister stopped off in Moscow on his way to New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting. Peiping threatened to use its air force against the Indians. Sikkirn was blacked out and placed on a war footing. The Indians said they had killed and wounded about 300 Chinese Communists while suffering some 80 casualties.
President Chiang Kai-shek told Japanese reporters accompanying Prime Minister Sato that the mainland struggle will intensify and last for a long time. He said only recovery of the mainland by the Republic of China can restore peace and save Chinese culture.
The China Youth Corps sent a message to the mainland pledging strong support to the anti-Mao movement. CYC receives many letters from the mainland channeled through box numbers broadcast by free Chinese radio stations.
Peiping told of sentencing a "special agent of the U.S. Information Service" to a life term. The overseas Chinese from Indonesia was charged with gathering information about the "cultural revolution" and taking photos of military areas. Peiping said six other counterrevolutionaries had been sentenced.
British border troops said the PLA had been conducting daily exercises near the frontier.
Indonesia expelled two Chinese Communist diplomats on charges of wounding four persons who were demonstrating outside the Peiping "embassy" in Jakarta. North Sumatra regional authorities urged the Indonesian government to break diplomatic relations with Peiping.
Moscow sources admitted Russian combat forces were in Mongolia. Peiping had charged an "occupation" of Mongolia by tens of thousands of Russian troops.
Communists tried to bomb the USIS library in Hongkong. The bomb was found and detonated with slight damage.
September 15
People's Daily cited Mao's insistence that "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun" and said that the Chinese Communists favor war as a revolutionary instrument. The article denounced the Russians as cowards and revisionists for playing down the importance of war.
A Hongkong newspaper said large numbers of Republic of China troops were in Kwangtung to direct the fighting against the Maoists. It claimed former labor camp inmates had been organized into a strong anti-Communist force.
Indonesia said it had tried to withdraw its embassy staff from Peiping, but that the Chinese Reds had refused to grant exit permits.
Intelligence sources in Taipei said Wu Jui-shan, commander of the Kiangsi Military Area Command, had been sacked for supporting anti-Maoist activities. Wu is a former trusted lieutenant of Lin Piao.
Quiet descended over the Nathula Pass. Indians said they had not fired a shot in 36 hours.
Communists demonstrated in front of a Hongkong courthouse. Police made 15 arrests. Sixteen bombs were found and detonated throughout the colony.
September 16
Visitors to Hongkong said hundreds were killed in Maoist versus anti-Maoist fighting in Kwangsi province. The struggle was said to have interfered with arms shipments to North Vietnam. Fighting also was reported from Kwangtung, Kiangsu, Fukien, and Chekiang.
Tass reported artillery duels in the heart of Canton. The Russian news agency said PLA units had moved into the city and were building pillboxes. Railroads, airfields, and high ground outside the city were reported controlled by anti-Maoists.
Taipei reports said railroads leading to Peiping were jammed by "revolutionary masses" going to see Mao. And-Maoists had extended phony invitations in connection with Red China's October 1 "national day".
Washington announced plans to build an anti-ballistic missile defense against the Chinese Communists at a cost of about US$5 billion.
Peiping accused Tunisia's President Bourguiba of restricting the movements of "embassy" personnel and of interfering in Red China's internal affairs. A protest was lodged with Britain against the Hongkong sentencing of Red journalists.
Indonesia said its diplomats in Peiping were living in a storehouse next to their wrecked embassy and living on food supplied by the Yugoslavs and Indians.
September 17
Heavy fighting was reported in Canton. Five divisions of PLA troops were said to be on their way to the city. The Liberation Army Daily called on troops not to take sides in power struggles among pro-Maoists.
Speaking at the United Nations, Secretary-General U Thant, a strong supporter of Red China, said that Peiping's recent words and actions had confused its sympathizers, and that the regime has no chance to enter the U.N. at this time.
Guns were still silent in Sikkim. Peiping returned the bodies of 14 Indians, then claimed that India was ruthlessly enslaving the people of Sikkim.
Peiping protested to the British against a police raid on the Hongkong office of the "New China News Agency". Izvestia charged the Chinese Communists had betrayed the workers of Hongkong and that "the British colonialists are pocketing loads of money and sharing it with the (Red) Chinese leaders".
Chinese Communist goods poured into Hongkong for the Moon Festival. Thirty-two Communist river vessels and 34 railroad cars brought 3,500 pigs and large quantities of other food.
September 18
PLA forces used tanks and heavy artillery against embattled factions in Canton. Some troops were siding with the Maoists. Gunfire was heard along the Hongkong border. Twenty thousand refugees were said to be waiting a chance to crash the border. Red troops had orders to execute escaping refugees. Moscow said anti-Maoists had seized several naval vessels at Canton.
Militia-led armies clashed for six hours at a town near Canton. A Japanese newsman expelled from Peiping passed through Canton and described it as a deserted city. He said barricades had been built at principal intersections and foreigners were told to stay off the streets at night.
Taipei intelligence sources said Mao has yielded to "collective leadership".
U.S. warplanes raided within seven miles of the North Vietnam-Red China border, the closest yet. Peiping claimed to have shot down a U.S. pilotless reconnaissance plane over Kwangsi.
September 19
Attempting to assassinate Ambassador Hu Lien and other Chinese diplomats and officials, the Communists bombed the Republic of China's Embassy in Saigon. About 20 persons were injured but no one was killed. The Embassy information officer subsequently was gunned down and seriously wounded. Shot and killed a little later was a Chinese textile engineer from Taiwan.
The United States admitted that North Korean pilots may be flying combat missions in the Vietnam war.
Thirty-three persons, including two small children, were wounded in Hongkong bomb attacks. One bomb was thrown from a building at a police vehicle and exploded in the middle of a crowded intersection.