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circumstances beyond their control, and in cases such as that
of the Peak Tram and Cross-harbour ferry the men have
instructed the Europeans who are to take over in the method
of operation. The Peak Tram is still operated by Chinese.
The seamen of the ferry service reported this morning that
they must come out to-night, but they have since stated
that the matter is not decided, and they will work to-morrow.
It is noteworthy that the first workers to strike were the
motor men and conductors of the low-level tramways. These
trams carry 70,000 people daily, practically all of whom
are Chinese. The recent repulse of the attack on Shameen
has not apparently affected the local situation, and the
opinion is freely expressed among the better-class Chinese that the large majority both in Hongkong and in Canton are glad that the Communist section of the Cantonese army has
been taught a salutary lesson.
5. Early steps were taken to get into working order the machinery which had been carefully prepared after the Seamen's strike, with the result that everything was
in readiness when the strike began on the 20th June, and there was no dislocation of any important service. The Volunteers were mobilized on the 21st June, and on the same
date guards were posted at the Electric Light Works, Water Works, and other important points, On the following day controllers of labour, food, and transport began to function, and volunteer helpers, comprising practically the whole of
the foreign community, men and women, were speedily enrolled
and were allotted to various duties. The Americans in
particular have shown themselves eager to help. The
Ambulance Corps and the boy scouts were called up, the former to assist at the hospitals and the latter to give
help