Copy.
ENCLOSURE NO. 2.
63
Resorts of the Commissioner of the Chinese Maritime Customs
At Conton.
9th December 1926.
Labour fight between workmen unions have been rife in Canton during the past few days, and in several cases many persons have been killed or wounded, especially the members of the City Silk-weaving Union and the Canton Machine leaving Workers Union. In view of such trouble disturbing the public peace and order, the General Military Headquarters have in accordance with instructions from General Chiang Chung-cheng issued a Notification strictly prohibiting all labour unions from making arbitrary arrests of people and parading of city streets with arms under pains of severe punishment. The Political Council has also formulated strict rules to check labour troubles of serious nature, which are to be enforced in case of necessity by the Government. The Police General Li Chang-ta, who is found to be unable to control labouring classes, has now resigned. General Chien Ta-chun, Chief Commander of Canton Garrison Force, has been specially authorised by General Chiang Chung cheng and took over charge of the Police Headquarters
yesterday.
10th December, 1926.
The Provincial Government Committee has passed an important resolution to the effect that all the land proprietors in the province have to reduce by 25% their ground rent from peasant tenants. The magistrates at outly- ing districts have been circularised to see that this Order is carried out for the benefit of the peasantry. The object of the Government is to relieve the peasants from their burden of paying high rent to their proprietors, so that they will not be forced to become robbers by their
poverty.