FAPHRASE
BELEGRAM
Regd 32698
#
July 1916
42
The Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary
of State for the Colonies.
(Received, Colonial Office, 7.5 p.m., 10th July, 1916)
Ga 2649
Reference my confidential despatch of April 28th
Chinese Members of Council waited on me today, and, on
behalf of Chinese community, asked me to move His
Majesty's Government to use its good offices to bring
about restoration of order in Kuangtung with a view
to re-establishment of trade. They fear wholesale
destruction of property may ensue if present condition
is allowed to continue and they suggest that the Chinese
Government be warned that British Goverment will take
steps to protect British interests unless order is at
once restored. Chinese community hold strong opinion
that present unsettled condition of Kuangtung is due
to Japanese intrigue and the result is great injury to prestige of Great Britain whose trade in South China
is predominant. I said that I would convey their
representations to you with an expression of general
agreement in their views. Repeated to His Majesty's
Consul-General Canton and His Britannic Majesty's
Minister at Peking.
MAY.
172