55?
136A
Hongkong. I think that the Consul-General is wrong
in his estimate of Mr. Sung, who in my opinion exercises very considerable influence. This opinion
was confirmed by conversations in Shameen. Mr. Wong Cheung-kuk took no part in the discussion, and Mr. Wong Ching-wai remained largely in the back-ground as he knows no English and most of the conversations f were not interpreted. Mr. Wong Ching-wai is, I under- stand, thirty-seven or thirty-eight years of
age and he looks hardly thirty. The members of the Council are all young men, Mr. Wu the oldest, being thirty-nine, and with the exception of Mr. Wu, they gave me the impression of being somewhat immature politicians, very anxious to learn, who would be grateful for friendly help and guidance.
(sd) M.FLETCHER,
23. X11 25.
Note:- I left Canton on the morning of the 23rd Decem- ber in the U.S.S." Pampanga" on invitation of Captain
Coustien and Commander Dugger, U.S.N.
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