8.
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and Mir. Kotewall on the night previous that it was his hope
to have the question settled within two months. But Lir.
Fung, being a man of deeds and not words, did not wish to
mention this to His Excellency to-day, preferring to let the
deed speak for itself in due time. But he (Mr. Liang)
thought that His Excellency should know how far Mr. Fung is
prepared to go. The idea of General Li and Mir. Fung as regards stabilizing the government is that Kwongtung should
not interfere with other provinces, but should look after
its own affairs. In other words, Kwongtung should have a
sort of Monroe Doctrine.
HIS EXCELLENCY expresses his great satisfaction at this, and
hopes that the Canton Government will soon be able to achieve
all these worthy objects. Hong Kong will do everything it
can to co-operate with Canton to promote a better under-
standing and better trade between the two places.
IR. FUNG thanks His Excellency, and says that he desires once
more to make clear the nature and object of his visit. His
visit is a private one; he represents both General Li and
himself in their personal capacity, and does not represent the
Canton Government. He would be obliged if his visit and the
conversations they have just had could be kept confidential. There is still an obstacle in the way the Hong Kong Strike
Committee in Canton and until that obstacle is removed, it
would be well for the Canton Government to take any steps to
deal with the four matters mentioned entirely on their own
initiative. Otherwise it would be fatal to the success of
these objects. It will never be for the mischief-makers to
say that the Canton Government acts after consultation with
the Hong Kong Government.
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MR. LIANG SHIH-YI also emphasises this point, and expresses the
hope that the Hong Kong Government will fully appreciate
the position of General Li and Er. Fung.
HIS EXCELLENCY says that he fully and clearly realises this,and