14.
and thoroforo undor Imporialistic rulo. Tho striko in its beginning was perfectly ponccful but two days lator the Hongkong Govornmont promulgatod monsuros which for their sovority wore unparallodod in any civilised country. They attem tod to cut off the food supply of the pooplo of Kwong Tung und so to starve thom just as England had dono against Gormany. Up to now thoro had novor boon single oxpression of regret by the Hongkong Government or by the British as to the death of the Chinoso at Shanghai, Shamoon and clsowhoro. Tho Hongkong Government could not possibly repudiato responsibility. They
voro at first determined not to ond the strike and
boycott until all Intornational questions such as thoso concerning Shanghai, Shamoon, Tariff Autonomy
had boon sottled. They know of the tremendous losses
of the Chinose merchants in Hongkong and for this reason and for this reason only they woro genuinely dosirous of an oarly settlement. But it was obvious that discussion could only be carried on by dologvtom for Hongkong appointed by by the Hongkong Government
2nd vosted with full authority. Four dclcgates had boon appointed by the Hongkong Government and now oight dologates had been appointed by the Hongkɔng morchants. They did not understand the scope of our authority and they would like us to cnlighton thom.
Mr. Li Yau Chuon shortly explained as regards our authority and as to undor what circumstances the four dologatos vore appointed by the Hongkong Government in
torms more or loss stated oarlior, As Mr. Li's romarks
were not audible to the pople sitting at the end of tho tablo, I repeated Mr. Li's romrks for their bonofit with some supplementary romarks. Then member of the
Labourors' Union spoko at longth to the effect:-