B.
qim
Treaty rights habe in fact been violated in a flagrant manner, and the open door has in fact been dosed
against the British by Canton. The Government of Canton
has definitely stated that they do not regard as valid,
what they call the "Unequal Treaties". Until they were
expelled by British troops pickets of the Canton strikers
invaded and occupied a district near Shataukuk in the new
Territories. A police launch of the Colony has again and
again been fired on in British water (the Shamchun river)
by such pickets. A company of the Punjabi Regiment has
also been fired on while patrolling the frontier near
Takuling. In contravention of the joint working agreement
trains of the Kowloon-Canton Railway have been prevented
from crossing the frontier in either direction. Villagers
crossing the frontier have been waylaid by the pickets,
who have levied toll on them. The importation of foodstuffs ha s also been prevented. On the löth of July eight
Chinese women bringing fruit into British territory from
China were also fired on by pickets of strikers. Two of
the women were killed, and two were drowned.
seized three and sent them to Canton. The importation of
British goods into Canton is entirely prevented by the
Strike Committee, who enforce their prohibition by
confiscating the goods. Cadman (a British subject) of
the Asiatic Petroleum Company was seized and thrown into
prison by the Strike Committee. At the same time two
Indian firemen were also seized, imprisoned for a considerable period and treated very brutally. At present
an Indian Steamer guard is detained by the Committee in
custody. Pickets are maintained round Shameen. Any
articles carried to the British or French Concessions from
the native City by any nationals are confiscated. Rules
for Coastal Shipping (vide the 4th enclosure in the
Governor's Confidential despatch (3) of the 21st of August)
The pickets
4
are