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Some appeared to be shoving the Chinese onlookers away, the remainder turned round, faced Shameen and were seen loading their rifles. Then the front rank opened fire straight across the creek at Shameen, the others joined in and instantaneously the firing became intense all the way down as far as I could see. They then scattered in all directions and took up positions behind any available cover in the houses and continued the attack,
"In a very short space of time I found bullets splashing round the consul- general and myself, so we retreated burriedly.
"The Lewis gun detachment stationed overhead (No. 1) observed the firing at us, and bullets were also coming over their sandbag protection. They opened fire on the soldiers; the other Lewis gun detachments on their right were also being peppered and also opened fire.
"Directly I got up into No. 1 gun's position I ordered 'cease firing' with the intention of avoiding all unnecessary fighting. In the nature of things it was a short time before the further guns and the specials could be stopped. Very little firing really took place on our part.
11
The soldiers continued firing, sniping from various points of vantage. When they became too accurate and persistent a few rounds of Lewis gun or rifle were dealt out to them, but soon afterwards I ordered all firing to cease unless the euemy became dangerous.
"After about an hour all firing ceased. Meanwhile, during a comparative lull about a quarter hour after the start, I managed to get to my headquarters at the consulate.
"On the left of the British bridge only a few rounds were fired by us, it being necessary to deal with some snipers in the buildings opposite
"Similar action was taken by the French in their part of the island. "One.naval rating, Petty Officer Robert M. Chalmers, official No. J. 15613, was wounded in the hand, and three civiliaus, one fairly seriously, the others slightly.
"In the French concession one civilian was killed and one wounded.
Three Japanese civilians were wounded, one of whom was close to one of our Lewis gun positions before we opened fire.
"I have no doubt myself, and all evidence confirms the opinion, that this was a deliberate 'incident' engineered by a section of the local Government.
"I understand the Chinese casualties were roughly thirty killed and seventy wounded.
C
One bullet pierced the water-tank and reduces the water supply until the damage can be repaired.
"The defence forces remained on duty till 6 o'clock this morning, when the specials were withdrawn; the naval parties remain at their posts.
"The enormous handicap Shameen suffers under from defence and communica- tion points of view were very evident. To communicate or pass from one block to another means crossing a bullet-swept street. Bullets were also coming down Central Avenue from the French bridge end. Some telephone communication was fixed up, but is not very satisfactory, there being no exchange on the island.
"The Chinese authorities have written accusing us and the French of deliberately creating this incident. In these circumstances the danger of further attacks is very prominent. I have therefore to-day asked for troops to be sent up.
"The number of men available from the gunboats is not sufficient to keep our lines manned for more than a day or two without relief.
"We are also running the water-works and freezing installation, and the danger of attack from the water side must be guarded against.
"Further report will be made when details are available.
"Sir,
I have, &c.
"M. MAXWELL SCOTT, Commander. "S.N.O., West River."
"Commander Scott to Commodore, Hong Kong.
"H.M.S. Tarantula,' at Canton, June 30, 1925.
"I have the honour, in continuation of my letter of the 24th June, 1925, to report that there is no doubt that the soldiers who started the firing belonged to that section of the Cantonese artsy trained by Russians at the military academy
29
of Whampoa. Full of confidence engendered by their easy victories over Chen Cheng Ming's troops and the Yunnanese army, they may have readily thought- that they could take Shameen. In any case, there is no doubt that they had expressed that intention on the previous day.
"His Britannic Majesty's consul-general is, however, willing to believe that the local Government were not directly cognizant of their intentions.
"Whether or no their attack was meant seriously or merely to create an 'incident' it is impossible to say, but, if the former, it is providential that it took place before the whole Shakee Creek was lined with troops. The creek bad so many sampans alongside the Chinese aide and the tide was at such a beight that a determined rush would have probably succeeded in getting many men into Shameen and through our defence line.
"The number of casualties on the Chinese side is stated to be thirty-seven killed, including one woman and one teacher and four students of the Canton Christian College, and eighty wounded.
"After firing the first few volleys the soldiers took up positions of vantage in the houses and behind the pillars supporting the verandahs and continued to fire rapidly. It is inevitable under the circumstances that some unfortunate civiliaus should suffer, especially from ricochet bullets, but the only case that I have been able to ascertain of a man not in uniform being fired at by the British forces was that of an individual who drew a Mauser pistol from under his clothes.
"In connection with the order given by me to cease firing when I reached our Lewis-gun post by the British bridge, I would draw attention to the service performed by Petty Officer Robert M. Chalmers, official No. J. 15613, who ran down our front line under heavy fire and blew the signal for 'cease fire' continuously until, just as he was passing the Victoria Hotel, he was hit in both hands and tell into the hotel verandah.
"Two platoons of Indian troops arrived in Kharki' on the 25th June and took over that part of the line stretching from the British bridge to the western end of the island. They were at first quartered in tents, but yesterday they were moved into a convenient house, the building of which has just been completed,
"The officer in command assures me that his men are comfortable and happy. Their keenness is very evident.
"The Shameen special police have shown great keenness and energy in carrying out many
varied duties besides taking their share in guard duties; their spirit
could be no better.
"Commanding officers, officers and ship's companies have one and all shown great cheeriness and devotion to duty Their health remains good.
"The leak in the water-tank has been temporarily plugged, and I have taken the precaution of filling the swimming bath, which now holds 90,000 gallons of drinking water.
"Informal conversatious are being carried on through the good offices of the American and German consuls-general and other neutrals, and the atmosphere is less tense.
"No soldiers have lately been observed in the vicinity of Shameeu,
"The custom-house was partially reopened on the 29th June; this should tend to ease the situation.
"His Britannic Majesty's consul-general has assured the neutral mediators that there is no intention of bringing up more troops; for this reason I have stopped the R.E. detachment from landing.
"I have, &c.
ANNEX VI.
"M. MAXWELL SCOTT, Commander,
"S.N.O., West River."
[F 3473/194/10]
Consul-General Jamieson to Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Received July 28.) (No. 5.)
Sir,
Canton, June 25, 1925. WITH reference to the local political situation, I have the honour to enclose herewith, for your information, copies of my despatches Nos. 46 and 47 of to-day's date to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, Peking.
I have, &c.
J. W. JAMIESON.
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