5
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probably fantastic, he had subsequently changed his views
and had become a strong believer. While Mr. Goodrich's
opinions were probably biased by affection for this child
of his brain and by undue optimism as to Chinese ability to
carry out a plan, even when that plan is correctly schemed
and begun, foreign critics were probably unduly biased in the
other direction.
10.
At the same time, whatever may have been the opinion
of experts on the possibilities of the development of Whampoa
by the Chinese to an extent which might adversely affect the
port of Hongkong, I feel that the question should now be examined
in the light of the fact that any further development might well
be undertaken by the Japanese or under Japanese auspices. Pro-
vided the Japanese can supply sufficient funds (a question on
which I am not in a position to express any views) there seems
little reason to suppose that Whampoa could not be developed
as a port at least of sufficient dimensions to accommodate
Japanese shipping without the necessity for such shipping
calling at or trans-shipping cargo at Hongkong. I do not consider
that there is now any question of the development of Whampoa to
the extent envisaged in the former Chinese plans, nor do I think
that, from a Japanese point of view, any such extensive develop-
ment would be necessary for their purposes. It seems to me that,
provided they can develop Whampoa sufficiently to accommodate
merchant ships up to a tonnage of say 10,000 tons, they will then
be in a position to divert the great bulk of the carrying trade
of South China from Hongkong to Canton, and I feel that it is
this point which should now be seriously considered.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,
(Sgd.) A.P. Blunt.
CONSUL-GENERAL