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Chinese official or commission to impugn the veracity of my statement as to what I actually saw with my own eyes, ie, that fire was opened from the Chinese side.
This morning Mr. Norman came to see me again, and we once more had a desultory talk over things in general. In the course thereof he informed me that the strictest instructions had been issued to all concerned that anyone guilty of provocative acts would be shot. I again informed him that, whilst from our side no cause of offence would be given, we could not afford to relax precautions, and asked him to convey to the authorities that the seventy to eighty Indian troops which arrive from Hong Kong to-day have been brought up for the sole purpose of relieving the naval ratings and special civilian police from duties, which they obviously cannot be expected to efficiently discharge for more than forty-eight hours on end, adding that in so far as it may
be possible they will remain out of eight.
According to Mr. Norman a new Government of the Province, consisting of nine members, is in process of formation and is to take office on the 1st July. Thereiu Mr. C. C. Wu will hold a portfolio as Mayor of Canton. Negotiations would appear, however, to be hampered by the uncompromising attitude of Chiang Chung Cheng (Chieh jen), the head of the Military School, who is anti-imperialist and an ardent Bolshevik.
All women and children have been cleared off the island: the British at Tungshan (eastern suburb) reached Hong Kong by train; others, such as a New Zealand mission at Kongchuen on the Yueh-Nan Railway, some 20 miles north of Canton-have been told to remain where they are, as I consider that it is preferable to remain stationary rather than to move about.
The Governor of Hong Kong handed to Reuter's Agency yesterday my anticipatory message of warning, addressed to Mr. C. C. Wu on the 22nd June, and it wastransmitted in full by a “clear the line" cable to London.
I have, &c.
Enclosure 4.
J. W. JAMIESON.
Civil Governor of Canton, Hu, to Consul-General Jamieson.
WITH reference to the procession to-day on account of the Shanghai case, when it had almost entirely passed the Sha Kei, the Shameen British concession soldiers and police suddenly opened fire with machine guns and rifles on the crowds in the processio on the other side of the canal. The soldiers and police of the French concession, heart, the sound, also at the same time opened fire. Likewise the Portuguese gunboat followed suit and opened fire with their big guns. The killed and wounded reached to a hundred and several tens in number.
The procession on this occasion was purely to show in the most civilised way the righteous indignation caused by the Shanghai case. But the British, French and Portuguese soldiers, police and gunboats nevertheless utterly disregarded the principles of humanity, and behaved with savagery. Moreover, this brutal killing was premedi tated and secretly planned. When the Civil Governor heard of the particulars he was exceedingly amazed, and forthwith, in the first instance, is in duty bound to enter a most serious protest, as well as to state clearly that the entire responsibility for this affair rests upon the civil and military officials of the British, French and Portuguese soldiers, police and gunboats concerned.
As to the circumstances of the butchery and the number of the killed and wounded, investigation is now being made.
After thorough investigation there will be further communication as to the adequate mode of dealing with the matter.
June 23, 1925.
Enclosure 5.
Consul-General Jamieson to Civil Governor, Canton.
Sir,
Canton, June 24, 1925. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of the communication which been good enough to address to me on the subject of the shooting which took place in you have the Shakee Street yesterday afternoon.
I would in the first place point out that, in this unfortunate affair, the Portuguese gunboat took no part whatsoever. It was the defence forces of the British and French Concessions alone, who replied to the attack made on them by Chinese troops or military students on the other side. I can, from the evidence of my own eyes, make a statement on oath that the firing was first started by the Chinese. As it was, the British senior naval officer and myself, who were standing unarmed by the bridge for the special purpose of guarding against any precipitate or nervous action on the part of the defenders, only escaped with out lives out of the hail of bullets which was directed at us. It was only then that, in self-defence, fire was opened from this side, and by the French forces, which were similarly attacked. Firing from this side ceased even before sniping from the tops of the houses opposite by Chinese soldiers was discontinued.
You state that the action taken by the British and French authorities was premeditated. This I absolutely deny. The premeditation was on the part of Chinese troope or military students, who, as was well known beforehand, and as was pointed out by me to Mr. C. C. Wu, had determined to create an incident with a view to posing as martyrs afterwards. It was well known the day before in Chinese circles in Hong Kong and Canton that an attack on Shameen was contemplated and would take place the following day. The compradore of the Banque industrielle in Hong Kong told the French manager that the French concession would be looted on the 23rd, and requested him to send a wireless message to bis colleague in Canton to place all valuables on board the French gunboat. In the forenoon of yesterday two motor cars were distributing leaflets throughout the city, signed by the Students' Union of the Military School of the Kwangtung army, inciting all and sundry to rise and chase out the foreigners.
repurliate in the most emphatic manner the charge that the responsibility rests with the foreigners, It is the Chinese who have to bear this heavy burden, and I hope shortly to lay before you evidence on oath of eye-witnesses in support of this assertion.
I would, in the meantime, ask you to be so good as to take most complete measures for the safeguarding of the lives of British subjects who are resident in and around Canton.
Enclosure 6.
I have, &c.
JAMES JAMIESON.
French Consul to Civil Governor.
M. le Gouverneur civil,
Canton, le 23 juin 1925. AUJOURD'HUI, à 3 heures, les troupes chinoises, armées et approvisionnées de munitione, qui faisaient partie de la manifestation passant sur le quai chinois, out, sans aucune provocation de notre part, ouvert le feu sur la concession française. Un paisible commerçant français, M. Pasquier, a été tué; un autre résidant étranger a été blessé; des dommages très importants ont été infligés à diverses maisons. C'est seulement après avoir reçu de nombreuses balles que nos soldats ont répondu au feu pendant un temps très court. Quant à nos bateaux de guerre, l'un d'entre eux a tiré trois coups à blanc et pas un seul obus.
J'aurai naturellement à vous présenter des demandes d'indemnité pour la réparation de ce meurtre et de cette attaque absolument injustifiés. Mais, pour le moinent, la question importante n'est pas là. Ce qu'il s'agit de savoir c'est si votre Gouvernement approuve ou désapprouve cette agression des troupes, si vous êtes décidé à maintenir Fordre ou à laisser le désordre se renouveler et s'étendre, si, comme le Secrétaire des Affaires étrangères l'a affirmé récemment, vous entendez protéger la vie et les biens des étrangers, ou si, répudiant complètement les obligations qui découlent des traités
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