NO SECRET.
Copies to:
Canton No. 195.
Peking No. 49.
Dull to FO
Sir,
30001
EIVER 23JUN 1927
FFICE
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG.
19th May, 1927.
لله
36
The past week has been marked by the first employment in Southern waters of that form of baiting the foreigner so popular on the Yangtsze, which consists in wantonly firing from the shore on peaceful merchant vessels passing along Chinese waterways on their lawful occasions. On the morning of the 16th May the river- steamer "Langshan", owned by the Hong Kong, Canton and Macau Steamboat Company, was passing near Whampoa on her regular run to Canton, when she was without warning
subjected to rifle fire from soldiers plainly visible
on the shore. At least fifty rounds were fired, a number of bullets striking the vessel and it was only by good fortune that no casualties resulted. His
Majesty's Consul General entered an immediate protest with General Li Chai-sum in the strongest terms
demanding adequate punishment of the guilty troops and
their officers, compensation for such damage as was
caused and a formal apology from the Commander of the
Forts at Whampoa. At the time of writing the final
issue of the matter is still in suspense. On her return
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LIEUTENANT COLONEL L.C.M.S. AMERY, M.P.,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
trip