C
as on arrival in Hongkong I found that neither
136
the General kanager of the Hongkong and Shanghai
Bank nor the Government were aware of any such pro-
ject. I accordingly after discussion with sir
following
A
Henry Kay telegraphed you the outline of a scheme, which to us appeared feasible, and which secured seemed
a practical means of relieving the situation. The Intelligence Report for the December Quarter 1913 gives a graphic picture of the difficulties of the Government, to which have been superadded a come plete stagnation of the import trade from llongkong into Canton and the danger of another rebellion consequent on lack of funds wherewith to pay the
troops and to meet other engagements falling due at the end of the Chinese year. The Government of
Hongkong are informed that there is a dispositi on
on the part of Chinese in the Colony to assist by
subscribing to a domestic loan, if the principle
of foreign control be established, but as none of them have the moral courage to advocate its adope
tion