- 4.
15
1
I
suspension of the mercantile shipping between Samshui
and Wuchow along the West River valley for a short time
during the continuance of hostilities between Kwangtung
and Kwangsi. He explained that active operations
were imminent, and he was afraid that, if foreign ships
were to proceed between Samshui and Wuchow, they might
run into danger. His government was particular ly
anxious to avoid any anti-foreign incident. expressed my agreement with him as to the undesirability of allowing British river steamers to pass through the
zone of fighting, and on the 19th Kay, at the request of
the Canton Government, telegraphed to me and supported
by Ir. G.S. loss, who had assumed duty as Consul General
in Canton, I issued a warning to river steamers in
Hong Kong that they should not proceed above Samshui, as
protection could not be afforded to them.
He
4. On the 22nd May General Ch'an Ming-shu again
called upon me accompanied by r. Chu Chang-nien.
told me that he intended to leave that night for Canton
in C.R.S. "Hai-yung". News had just reached him that the Cantonese armies had repelled the Kwangsi invaders
and that the threat to Canton had been removed. In
point of fact the C.R.3. "Hai-yung" did leave Hong Kong last night: but where she went I do not know. The
C.R.S. "Yin-swei" is still here.
5. The Chinese characters for the names in this
despatch are given on a separate sheet.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
1 /humb]
Your most obedient,humble servant,
Governor, &c.,