I
Endoure 2.
run on any large scale. The officials of the Chinese
Engineers and Mechanics Union have steadily maintained
their attitude of opposition to the strike and the Chairman
recently published a statement in the local press calling
upon the Union to stand fast. In spite of their leaders
the majority of the men, including practically all those
employed at the Naval Yard, have gone, but a considerabie
number are still at work, and the stand taken by the Union
Officials has had a steadying effect upon the Community
generally.
There are also signs that the people who
are still at work are beginning to realise that after all anonymous letters and intimidators are not quite so dangerous as they at first thought, and one or two arrests
have at last been made on information given by workers, who
in one instance themselves seized the man. An attempt is being made to get together a small band of Chinese Special
Police under the supervision of an ex-pirate and general in
Chan Kwing-ming's army, who undertakes that his men will
be brave enough to arrest intimidators.
7.
There has been surprisingly little crime in
connection with the strike. There have been two murders,
one of which may probably, and the other less certainly,
be attributed to strike agitators, and in each case payment
has been made of the sum of $2000 which is guaranteed to the relatives of persons who are killed as a direct result of the carrying on of an occupation. There has been one instance of the throwing of a bomb into a house, fortunately
without damage to any one. There has been no case of
street rioting or similar disturbance.
8.
I attach copies of various regulations which have been made to cope with the situation. It will be seen
that