9.
23
80
non-members, who all three were strongly in favour
of proscription, I took the votes of members for and against proscription. All voted in favour of
proscription except Mr. D.G.M. Bernard of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, who was of the opinion
that the step might lead to fresh disorganization of
the now recovering trade of the Colony and would not
strike at the vitals of this hostile Union, but would
merely irritate it by "treading on its toes".
14. I am quite aware that the closure of the
Hong Kong Union or Branch may have very serious con- sequences, if not now, perhaps later when the National-
ist party is reunited by fresh victories. But I am convinced, on the other hand, that firmess in a just
cause, as exemplified in the case of the s.s."Lungshan
Secret holl (see my special despatch of the 24th May), is the only
method by which British trade and British interests
can be maintained in China. This is a just cause. The Chinese Seamen's Union is a tool of Moscow, and in ejecting its the Government of this Colony does but follow the lead of His Majesty's Government and of
China herself.
15. The order issued by the Governor-in-Council
declares the Chinese Seamen's Union unlawful, without
special reference to the status of the Hong Kong
establishment as a branch of a wider organization.
The signboard of the premises in Hong Kong bore the
full title, and only the full title. There was no addition, such as "Branch", although the circular professing allegiance to Hankow carried this limitation.
The name on the signboard was appropriate to the order:
and
23