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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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Mr. Sung entirely concurred, being evidently relieved at the suggestion that officials from Canton should not be involved in the strike pay bargaining. He agreed that the view of Hongkong, as expressed by me, was a most reasonable one, and he stated that prospects of a satisfactory settlement were more remote than he had at first thought, as both sides had such a strong case. He still maintained, however, that Hongkong would be well advised to give way, and that no settlement was possible unless she did.
In the course of our conversation I said that it was reported that there was to be an anti-Christian demonstration at Christmas, and I suggested that the Canton Authorities should do what they could to discountenance it, both on general grounds and also in view of the negotiations which were in prospect. Mr. Sung said that his Government was in no sense hostile to Christianity or to any other religion. They believed in entire freedom with regard to religious beliefs. They would take the necessary action to keep the demonstration within strict bounds.
On arrival off Shameen Mr. Sung's motor-boat came alongside and he offered to land me in Shameen. As we were leaving the ship Mr. Fitz-Maurice, the Vice-Consul, came on board, and the At the Shameen steps motor-boat put back and took him off.
Mr. Sung directed a coolie in the boat to carry my bag, but the coolie was stopped by a small Indian policeman, who would not let him pass in spite of the Vice-Consul's protests. The incident undoubtedly created an unfortunate impression, and I record it as significant of the atmosphere which apparently surrounds the Consulate. Mr. Sung had previously volunteered the statement that the Government found the Consul-General most difficult.
On landing I reported the conversations at Government House and my conversations with Mr. Sung to the Consul-General. Sir James expressed the opinion that Mr. Sung was a man of parts but a nonentity in the Government, an opinion which, I informed him, I was unable to endorse. I asked Sir James for his view on the question of strike pay. He was not definite as to the British merchants, but he thought that the Chinese should pay. A settlement was imperative, at least in so far as British ship- ping was concerned, and after all it was the usual practice in China. Whatever the rights and wrongs of a dispute it was always settled by a payment exacted from the merchants. The Hongkong Government's great mistake in the seamen's strike was the closing of the Seamen's Union. That step should never have been taken.
At 10.30 p.m. Mr. Maurice Cohen brought a note. from Mr. Sung regarding the arrangements made. I took the opportunity to ask Mr. Cohen some questions and he thereupon võlunteered his views on the whole situation. A settlement was earnestly desired. The man who counted was Mr. Sung. He had very great influence and the fact that he had been chosen to go to Hongkong was most significant. He would never have gone unless he had felt confident that a settlement was really in sight. as he would lose face if it fell through. But Borodin was power to be reckoned with. He still had great influence, es- The pecially with Mr. Sung, who was his particular friend. Canton Government owed the Russians a great debt of gratitude. Mr. Cohen had arranged with Dr. Sun to enlist Canadians to
a
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train his army, and he had actually got the men, but the Consul- There was then General stood in the way; they must register at the Consulate and would not be allowed to do the work. nothing for it but to employ Germans or Russians, and Borodin came forward. Borodin saw exactly what was wanted and he brought out his men. They were of an inferior type but the material was so bad that anyone could effect an improvement.
The Cantonese would never have had a chance against the Kwong Sai troops and the Yunnanese, had it not been for the Whampoa Cadets, and they were amazed at the astonishing results of the Russian training. They also received arms and munitions from the Russians, and they recognised that their present success was based on the foundation laid by the Russians. The Government was, however, tired of the Russians, and it was quite possible that they might be turned out neck and crop at any tiine. Mr. Sun Fo hated them and he especially hated Borodin, and this was a most important factor in the situation. Mr. Sun Fo, by reason of his being Dr. Sun Yat Sen's son, had an immense influence and the Canton Government was most anxious to conciliate him and to get him to return. The Canton Government had come to stay and the only possible danger to it was Mr. Sun Fo, whose personal following was such that he could, if he so desired, place himself in supreme power in Canton without any armed force, provided that he proceeded along the I may note here that Mr. Sung had said that the present lines. troubles in the North had been useful to Canton in the sense that the military chiefs had had their hands too full to interfere effec tively, and Canton was by this time so strong that no party in Canton for her part did not propose China dare now attack her.
to send any expedition to the North, as the cost would be far too great and she would dissipate her strength.
Mr. Cohen went on to say that I could look upon Mr. Foo Mr. Tam Ping-sheung as a personal friend and a strong advocate of a settlement. Mr. C. C. Wu also wanted to settle. Ying-kai was a particularly pleasant man, and a scholar. He would go with the majority. Mr. Wong Tsing-wai wanted a settlement but he was difficult to deal with. Mr. Cohen could tell me in strict confidence that the strikers were in fact supported by the Government, but the Government was sincerely anxious to get rid of them and the time was entirely opportune for coming There were three German aviators employed, but they kept out of politics. Mr. Cohen produced for my inspection a contract in original, signed by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, and the Northern Construction Company, Ltd., of Vancouver, dated the 12th April, 1923, under which the company was to build the uncompleted portion of the Canton-Hankow Railway.
to terms.
I
At 11 a.m. on the 21st December I went, accompanied by Mr. Fitz-Maurice, to Government House, in the old Viceroy's Yamen. There we met Mr. Wong Ching-wai, Mr. C. C. Wu, T. V. Sung, Foo Ping-sheung, and Mr. Luk King-fo, the last- named interpreting, as Mr. Wong did not know English. was received in a most cordial manner, and I expressed to Mr. Wong Ching-wai the Governor's warm regard, the pleasure which it had given him to receive Mr. Sung, and his gratification that the two Governments had got together in this friendly