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40
in Hong Kong at the suggestion of Dr. R.H. Kotewall,
C.M.G., during the 1925 crisis,is meeting with great C.M.G.,,during
The
and increasing success. It has been for the last
twelve months in the very able hands of Mr. Lau
Tsz-p'eng, who was at one time confidential clerk to
the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and has an intimate
knowledge of the political intrigues of China during
the last two decades. The Bureau devotes most of its
energies to the production of Chinese pamphlets, broadsheets and leaflets having the appearance of
being entirely spontaneous protests against the actions
of the extremist section of the Canton Soviet.
tyranny and hardships which a communist regime involves
to the masses themselves are kept before the working
classes by means of examples drawn from current events in Canton where, as my previous despatches show, there is no lack of suitable material. These events, and Ir. Iau's skilful use of them,conduce to the advantage of the Colony. Various trades and handicrafts now show
a disposition to move away from the continuous storm
of strikes and picketings, which besets Canton, to the quiet and order which British rule confers upon Hong Kong; and it is not unlikely that anger at this failure
of their plots has led the Canton Labour Unions to lay
plans for provoking a new outbreak in Hong Kong,as noted
in paragraph 4 of my secret despatch of the 4th February
The temper of these agitators is indicated in the en- closed report obtained by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs of two meetings held at Canton. Too great
importance is not to be attached to the attendance of
delegates from Hong Kong Unions. It is difficult for a
Chinese Union in this Colony to refuse an invitation to a conference of similar and larger Unions at Canton. 20 7: No. C. 30001 / 27 [No. 35]
(35)
Enclo. No.
† Not pruited.
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