11.
131
On the night of the 26th a launch manned by Japan 6 Be blus jackets proceeding to the assistance of S.S. "Shunyo Maru", aground near Whampoa, was fired on, resulting in one petty officer being killed and two men wounded. It is reported that a
protest has elicited a prompt apology.
Chinese Customs launches under way after dark in this vicinity have also reported being fired on.
12.
ply to the Consul General's letter of 13th August asking whether the anti-British and anti-Japanese coastal navigation proclamation was passed and approved by the Nationalist Government was not received till the 23rd it was to the effect
-
that neither the Nationalist Government, the Government of
Kwangtung nor the Municipal Government, printed, published or approved the rules referred to.
Considerable doubt as to the sincerity of this disclaimer exists owing to the fact that during the period referred to certain consignments of silk for France and America which would normally have been sent to Hongkong for trans-shipment, were despatched in steamers direct to Shanghai instead.
13.
No
In order to test whether British Merchant vessels would be actively interfered with if running between Hongkong and Canton, S.S. "Honam" of the Hongkong, Canton and Macao 3.3.Company was sailed from Hongkong to Canton on 3rd September and returned 4th September. A strong police guard was placed on board and a number of Passengers, European and Chinese, carried sach way. interference occurred during this initial trip and I understand it is proposed to continue the service daily for the present.
14. I must confess, however, that I see no definite signs at present of the situation in South China materially improving. In the present state of nervous tension of the 'Red' and other leaders it is not unlikely that some flagrant outrage (possibly local or accidental) against British of other foreigners will be committed and should that occur it will become increasingly difficult, as the importation of arms and the military training
progresses...