ABSTRACT
The above comment conjures wonderfully lucid imagery of Lampson pounding the table until his crockery rattled, while exclaiming over the China situation. This whimsical reference, however, points to recognition of the changes that were forcing a recasting of Sino-Western relations. The Nationalists had embarked on the Northern Expedition and their early successes brought forth mixed reactions from the foreign powers, whose main concern was the maintenance of their privileged position in the treaty ports. Lampson’s reflection reveals the British realization that the era of gunboat diplomacy was drawing to a close. Aglen’s dismissal in early 1927 precipitated a succession crisis. The leadership imbroglio served as evidence of the deterioration of Britain’s position in China. The struggle for the Inspector General’s (IG) position that was waged from 1927 to 1929 served to highlight that the use of diplomacy, veiled threat and coercion were no longer effective in protecting and promoting British interests in the Service or elsewhere.
