3447/23.
S/FF.
SECRET
i
DIEU
DROIT
Colonial Secretary's Office.
Trong Phong.
2nd October, 1940.
9/53551/36
10 terndale Bennett 2j добру
Dear Gent,
I enclose for information a copy of a letter
from Messrs. Butterfield and Swire regarding a report
that the Chinese Seamen's Union is opening a branch in
London.
The latest reference to this Union that I can
trace in despatches to the Colonial Office is Sir Andrew
Caldecott's secret despatch of 9th November, 1936. This
refers to the Old Union which, since the Seamen's strike
of 1922, has been a source of trouble both to the Shipping
Companies and to the Hong Kong Government.
There are now
two claimants to the title, one sponsored by Japan, the
other claiming to support Chungking. Presumably this
branch, if it exists, is affiliated to the latter. It
seems unlikely that a branch in a place so far distant as
London would be established from any kind of political
motives. It is more likely to be intended simply as a
club or welfare centre; but in view of the unsavory
reputation of the parent organization, you may think it
G.E.J. Gent, Esq., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C.,
Colonial Office,
LONDON.
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