157
by a channel connecting the Pearl and West Rivers).
During the latter part of this period, air raids had
multiplied; the population of Canton had left in their tens
of thousands, and morale, both civilian and military, had
been considerably lowered; no Chinese aeroplanes any longer
appeared in the sky, and one by one every Chinese war vessel
had been sunk.
The Hong Kong offices of the big British shipping
companies had not lost sight of the possibility of a sudden
complete closing of the river, and it had been my constant
preoccupation. I had been steadily assured that no action
would be taken without notice, and such doubts as I felt
about precipitate action on the part of the Chinese had
been relieved by the receipt of a semi-official letter of
September 18th from Mr. E.P. Goodrich, the American harbour
and city constructional expert, (who, as Special Engineering
Adviser to the Whampoa Port Development administration, was,
through his expert knowledge, in the closest touch with
high Chinese authorities) which informed me that he had
been requested by the military authorities to pass to me
an assurance that 48 hours notice would be given if possible
of any intention to close the river completely. He confirmed
to me his information by telephone and told me that it could
be regarded as semi-official. It was therefore an unpleasant
surprise to learn from the Shipping Companies at 11.30 p.m.
on september 30th that traffic was to be completely prohibited
as from 6 a.m. on October 1st. The Customs, who only
received any information (by telephone) at 10.20 p.m. on
September 30th issued a notification after the river was
closed, and I received my first official intimation (from the
Special Delegate for Foreign Affairs) at 10 a.m. on October
2nd 28 hours after the event, instead of 48 hours in
advance!