17
14.
and thoroforo undor Imperialistic rule. Tho striko
in its beginning was perfectly poccoful but two days
lator the Hongkong Government promulgated mosuros which for their sovority wore unparallodod in any
civilised country. They attem ted to cut off tho
food supply of the people of Kwong Tung and so to
starve thom just as England had dono against Gormany Up to now there had never been a singlo oxprossion
of regrot by the Hongkong Government or by the
British as to the donth of the Chinoso at Shanghai,
Shamoon and clsovhoro. Tho Hongkong Govornmont could not possibly ropudiato rosponsibility. Thoy
voro at first determined not to ond the strike and
boycott until all International questions such as thoso concerning Shanghai, Shamoon, Tariff Autonomy
had boon settled. They know of the tremendous lossen
of the Chinese merchants in Hongkong and for this ronson and for this reason only they oro gonuincly dosirous of an oarly settlement. But it was obvious
that discussion could only be carried on by dologhtLA for Hongkong appointed by the Hongkong Government and vested with full authority. Four delegatos had boon appointed by the Hongkong Government and now sight delegates had been appointed by the Hongkong merchants. They did not understand the scope of our
authority and they would like us to cnlighton thom.
Mr. Li Yau Chuon shortly oxplained as regards our
authority and as to undor what circumstances the four
dologatos wore appointed by the Hongkong Government in
torms more or less stated earlier, As Mr. Li's romarks
were not audible to the poplo sitting at the end of
the table, I repeated Mr. Li's rom.rks for their bonofit
with some supplomontary romarks. Then a member of the
Labourers' Union spoko at longth to the offcct:-