PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
(Dated 26th May, 1926.)
562
(Received Colonial Office 10.24 a.m, 26th May, 1926.)
Your telegrap of 22nd of May, in regard to the mission of Lord Willingdon has caused pe great concern. On the 25th of May it was considered by the Executive Council. Mr. Hornell (Vice Chancellor of the University), two Chinese members of the Legislative Council, Mr. Bernard and Mr. Bird (Unofficial members of the Legisla- tive Council) were also present at the meeting, They unanimously concur in this telegram, which I have repeated to Peking. The reasons why we consider that it would be a grave mistake for the mission to proceed to Canton at the present time, are as follows:-
A. Both in the Colony and in Canton, it would be considered that His Majesty's Government had deserted Hong Kong, and a severe strain would be put on the loyalty of the Hong Kong Chinese.
B. It would be considered to indicate a weakening
of our determination not to buy off the boycott by
paying blackmail.
0. Warlike action, with the object of compelling Canton to submit, has been begun by the anti-Red war- lords who at present control the machinery of Government
at Peking. They would look upon such a sit to Canton
Visit
as ill-timed moral support for a province in rebellion.
D. The Government of Kuangtung:-
(1) is not only not preventing but actually encouraging the movement which is deliberately designed to destroy the trade and prosperity of the
the colony.
(2)