Extract from the Governor's secret despatch dated 24th December in regard to the political situation in Canton.
X X
I X X
I
368
X X
X
X I X
The chief benefit to be hoped for from a settlement is the resumption of normal trade relations between Hongkong and Canton. The boycott has shown that it is possible for anton to make itself to a certain extent irdependent of this blony: and the longer the boycott lasts, the greater is the probability of a permanent loss of trade to Hongkong: for Hongkong cannot make itself irdependent of Canton. Indeed the reason for the wonderful growth of Hongkong is to be found in the fact that it is the best deep-sea port for the commerce of a Province inhabited by more than 40 millions of Chinese. There are, however, other ports though none are so good or so conveniently situated and it is not in the interests of this "olony that trade should be diverted to them. I am convinced that the prosperity of Hongkong depends mainly upon the maintenance of friendly, and even intimate, relations between this Government and the Goverment of kuang-tung; and the sooner the present sore which is festering and
may be come chronic can be healed, the better it will be
for British interests not only in Hongkong but throughout
China.
I X X X
X X X X X I I X
bd
X
X