heen subjected to insult or violence. In all cases of incendiarism or robbery, the local authorities shall at once take the necessary steps for the recovery of the stolen property, the suppression of disorder, and the arrest of the guilty parties, whom they will punish accord- ing to law.
6
armed launch and they were abducted. Energetic efforts on the part of the Consul General and the Company secured Mr. Cadman's release that evening but not before he had been subjected to considerable indignity. His hands were bound with rope and he was led through the streets followed by a mob shouting out, "Kill the English devil". At the Strike Head- quarters he had to undergo a form of trial while the mob outside shouted "Kill him". The two Indians were subjected to even worse treatment. They were bound, beaten, chained, deprived of all their clothing except their pantaloons, kicked, and threatened with death. They were ordered to diean out latrines, and when they refused to undergo what was to them a gross indignity they were beaten. Beef was thrown into their rice, so that they bad to choose between going hungry and acting contrary to their religious belief. They were not released until the 6th January, in spite of repeated applications by the Consul General to the Foreign Office at Canton, and in spite of several assurances by the Foreign Office officials that the men had been released or would shortly be released.
On the trade of Great Britain 7. It may be added that the deliberate attack described above is in direct conflict with the spirit of the Washington Nine Power Treaty of 1922, in which the contracting powers, other than China, agreed to use their influenc for the purpose of effectually establishing and maintaining the principle of equal opportunity for the commerce and industry of all nations throughout the territory of China. The treat- ment which British interests have recently been receiving from the Canton Governmen:/ has been unequal and most unjust. British shipping is denied the facilities of the port at Canton and the shipping of other nationals is granted facilities there only if it avoids Hong Kong and does not carry British goods. British merchants are not allowed to trade with Canton and British goods are confiscated.
8. The present treaties between Great Britain and China may contain provisions which call for revision, either now or in the early future. That is a matter for the Con ference now sitting at Peking to consider. But they also contain provisions which merely enunciate the relations which ordinarily subsist between the subjects and citizens of friendly powers, who live and trade side by side on conditions of perfect friendship and equality. It is these provisions that the Canton Government has seen fit to attack, and it is of the breach of provisions of this class that I complain.
9. I am sending a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Minister at Peking am! His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton.
I have the honour to be,
Sir.
Your most obedient humble servant,
(Sd.) C. CLEMENTI,
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT Honourable
Libutesast COLONEL L. C. M. S. AMERY, M.P.,
dc.,
&c.,
&c.
7
Note 1.
On the 27th January 1926 Mohamed Ali, Hong Kong Police guard No. 39 em- ployed upon the British S.S. Lungshan landed in Shamien and proceeded to a house in Tai Sze Street, in Canton City, where he had previously been employed. His object was to recover a bag of his personal effects. On his return about 5 p.m. he was stopped just outside the English bridge by men in uniform, wearing strike-picket badges. He was ac- cused of being a Shameen policeman and was taken in custody to the Pickets' head- quarters at Tung Un, where he was incarcerated in a wooden shed, about 5 feet square, with thirty Chinese prisoners. He was not bound but had to remain standing or sitting as there was no room to lie down. Under these conditions he was detained for eight days, being threatened with imprisonment and with shooting. He was then taken to a police- station, and subsequently released on condition that he returned direct to Hong Kong without entering the Shamien. He was enabled to proceed directly on board the 8.8. Lung- shan by means of a pass given him at the police-station. The translation is as follows:-
Note paper for use at the
Foreign Office,
Kwang Tung.
This is to certify that the Indian named Mohamed Ali, a British subject, was de- tained by the Strike Pickets and after having been heard by the Special Criminal Court. was sent to this office where he was forthwith discharged so as to enable him to return home.
5th day, February
15th year
(Seal)
of the Chinese Republic (3.2.26.).
Foreign Office. Kwang Tung.
(Seal).
His release was a somewhat belated response to a complaint made by H.B.M. Consul General on January 28th 1926, eight days previous to the date of the pass.
Note 2.
The following report dated 26th June, 1926 from the Commanding Officer H.M.S Cicala details a typical case of interference by strike-pickets with persons attempting to hold Communications with British steamers at Canton,
at about 2000 yesterday, June 25th, the Strike Picket Motor- boat Tung Shan opened fire on a small junk containing about 40 passengers and cargo, which was making for alongside S.S. Fatshan in a strong ebb. The position of Tung Shan was approximately about four points on port bow distant 400 yards of 8.8. Futshan."
The attack was beaten off by vigorous fire being opened by coolies in charge of some vegetable boats already discharging alongside Fatshan. It is estimated that about 40 shots were exchanged from apparently Thompson guns. The Strike Picket boat retired with great speed towards Fati, firing desultory shots, and disappeared into shadows of innumerable junks.
The crew of the attacked junk jumped overboard as is customary, including the owner, who afterwards scrambled on board Fatshan having been shot through the rump. Medical attention was rendered on board Fatshen by Medical Officer of H.M.S. Cirula
་ ་
This incident called forth the following protest from H.B.M. Consul-General :
"I am informed by the British naval authorities that a new picket boat has appear- ed on the river: a large motor launch completely surrounded by armour plates and manned by about thirty armed men.
The presence of such a formidable craft in the Canton harbour, under the control of an irresponsible organization like the strike committee, is a very grave menace to peace."
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