3.
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43
principals. The enclosed speech is sufficient warn- ing against such a course. But there can be no advantage in refusing to accept offered information, however tainted; and it may be that in Canton as elsewhere lip-service may perforce be paid to Revolu- tionary doctrine by those who realise its practical futility as a theory of Government. I accordingly passed the request on to the editors concerned, and
Enclo No. I attach a report describing the interview which took
place.
Bo
The new regime in Canton has abandoned its project of distinguishing sheep from goats among the so-called "Hong Kong strikers" and has decided to accept the tally of patriots shewn on the Strikers' Committee's own roster, about 30,000. Each of these
claims disbandment fees of $100 (or $90 in the few cases where $10 has been paid on account) and the authorities are now endeavouring to raise funds for this purpose. It is stated to have been definitely arranged that the Canton General Chamber of Commerce shall raise a loan of $1,500,000 for the Provincial
Government to pay off the 1925 Canton-Hong Kong
Strikers". The loan will take the form of the purchase by every firm or shop of three-months Treasury Bonds to the amount of three times its "Business License" fee. The Chamber is pressing its constituents for early compliance with the scheme, with a view to relieving the Government of the daily charge of $10,000 for the
feeding of the strikers. The latest reports are to the effect that this noble army of patriots demands
its douceur of $100 in addition to, and not in lieu of,
free board and lodging: but it seems doubtful whether
it