f
PY
236/1/10)
sir.
日
Shanghai, 11th December, 1925.
14
L
We are not sure whether any representations have been
made to His Majesty's Government with a view to alleviating the
appalling state of affairs which has prevailed in Swatow since
30th May last. Apart from the complete cessation of British
trade the indignities British subjects have had to suomit to are,
to say the least of it, deplorable, and unless something is done
to improve matters not only will our prestige in South China be
irretrievably lost, but the "Red" influence at present effective
in Canton and Swatow will in time probably extend further North
with results which can only spell disaster for all foreign
traders and particularly the British. Byen now we understand the
situation at Amoy is most unsertain and it would not warprise us
to learn, at any moment, that this port had come under the contral
of the "Reds", fo realise that the Chamber are unable to suggest
any remedy for the present state of affairs, but, all the same they
should, we think, record what is happening at Swetow and request
the Legation to advise us whether they contemplate any action
calculated to remedy the hardships endured by British subjects
and restore British coastal shipping in the trade there.
All Chinese office and Household Staffs in British
employment are intimidated and prevented from returning to work
and it is impossible for individuals of firms at Swatow to OB-
tablish any direct personal communication with their Chinese. The
result is that British suŭjects at Swatow have to undertake their
own cooking, washing and sanitary measures. Japanese vessels,
which have hitherto been the means of supplying food stuffs to
residenta in @watow, under threat of renewal of the boycott
Secretary
British Chamber of Commeras, •
Shanghai.
against