92
We
We need scarcely say that we do not ask that any voluntary abstention should be "suppressed by force. All that we ask is that an involuntary abstention should not be maintained by force or artificial means. We do not wish to be misunderstood here. fully realise that a year ago many Chinese believed, erroneously as we think, that they had reason for making a protest against the action of various foreign nations in connection with the incidents referred to above. If they had such reason, which we deny, they have made that protest, in various ways, but we are convinced that the great bulk of the people, always excepting those whose interest it is to maintain the boycott, would now gladly resume normal relations.
It is further alleged in the statement of the Chinese delegation that "the practical blockade which the Government of Hongkong instituted against Canton and the rest of the province was a powerful predisposing and, later continuing factor in the maintenance and enforcement of the anti-British boycott," and that "this Hongkong severance of economic relations with Canton suggested the precise form in which patriotic retaliation for June 23 should express itself." This is a good example of putting a bad construction on perfectly innocent actions. The Hongkong Government did not institute any blockade of Canton or the rest of the province. Hongkong did not sever economic relations with Canton. The prohibition of the exportation of certain foodstuffs was a measure dictated by com- mon prudence for the purpose of conserving the food supplies of the Colony. By the 22nd June the shipping strike had already begun, and no one knew how far the importation of foodstuffs into the Colony might not be interfered with. If this was a blockade by Hong- kong, it was a blockade of the whole world. The object of the prohibition was shown by the notification of the 11th August, which announced that licences would be given freely for the exportation to all destinations subject to adequate reserves being maintained in the Colony, and the embargo was whelly removed on the 9th October. The prohibition of the exportation of coin, bullion and notes was a measure of ordinary financial prudence for the protection of the currency and financial system of the Colony. Thus. purely defensive measures, imposed on Hongkong by the strike, are twisted into an attack on Canton. In fact, the statement of the Chinese delegation on this point seems to us to be a desperate attempt to find an excuse and an explanation for the institution and main- tenance of the boycott against Hongkong, a community which had not been concerned in any way with the incidents previously described.
Finally, we take this opportunity to enter an indignant protest against the attempt which has been made by means of unscrupulous propaganda throughout the course of this unhappy trouble to throw the blame on Lengkong and on the British nation. In truth, the malady of which the Chinese delegation speak is an internal one and will not be cured by attacking the British people, who of all others are most desirous of seeing a happy, pros- perous and independent China with whom they can conduct their trade.
We fully appreciate the fact that the whole outlook of large sections of the Chinese people has changed in recent years, and we sincerely sympathise with the ambition of the Chinese nation to take that great place in the world to which its genius entitles it. The Government of Hongkong, in particular. is prepared to assist in the development of those provinces which the Colony is brought into immediate contact, in any way which may be of mutual benefit, and it is in this direction that we hope a solution of the present difficulties may be found.