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election, the Hong Kong Government suddenly despatched
а
sevenl tens of British soldiers and Chinese detectives
to make a forcible entry into the Union. They first searched our members and prohibited any of them from entering or leaving. They then seized all the property in the Union and took it away. The members then in the Union were not allowed to leave until 3 a.m. on the following day.
These are the true facts in connection with the search made
by the Hong Kong Government on that day.
The opening of the ballots in the Union on that day was under the supervision of Chinese detectives
sent by the Hong Kong Government, and was conducted in
a regular and peaceable manner.
any breach of law, it would have been suppressed immediate- ly. The result of the election was also duly published
Should there have been
in the Hong Kong Press on the following day, and this shows clearly that the election was held with the permis- sion of the Hong Kong Goverment and all the populace of the Colony. It further proves that the general meeting
and public election held in our Union were considered legal by the Hong Kong Government and that nothing was
being done contrary to the laws of Hong Kong. We do not
know what special reason the Hong Kong Government had
for their action against cur Union at 7 p.m. on the 1st
April. The populace is filled with fear and we are at
a loss to know what to do. Therefore we are compelled
to send you this letter, begging that you will ask the
Central Kuomintang Department and the Nationalist Govern-
ment to make a grave protest to the British Consul-General
and publish the facts to all the people of our country, and ask them to lend us assistance, so that our Union may be protected in the interests of our fellow-countrymen
here. We look to you with all eagerness.