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the issue by publishing a notice repudiating Canton and declaring its adherence to Hankow. A Press translation* of this notice is enclosed. It has been checked with an original Chinese copy, obtained at the office of the Union in Hong Kong, and found to be correct.
12. The effect of this circular is to declare the Hong Kong Chinese Seamen's Union to be opposed to anti-Communistic measures, and to be subordinate to Union headquarters at Hankow, where its chief. So Shiu-cheng, now holds some kind of labour portfolio and is an important member of the Russian-controlled Administration which has succeeded in ruining that prosperous city. The circular is an explicit defiance both of Marshal Tseung Kai-shek and General Li Chai-sum This action has, therefore, isolated the Hong Kong branch from Canton and has so removed one of the great obstacles hitherto encountere: whenever its proscription was considered: for the suppression at this moment of the Hong Kong branch may well be interpreted as an art friendly to Canton, and can at the worst supply no ground for a protest. Moreover, the incident which creates this position is a virtua! declaration of Communism, and the Hong Kong branch has thus thrown down a challenge to the Hong Kong Government which it is impossible to ignore. Such a circular would have necessitated iminediate action here in any case; and it can only he regarded as extremely fortunate that so excellent an opportunity for suppressing a highly Bolshevized organization was spontaneously provided.
13. In the meantime, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs had consulted the District Watchmen Committee and found the members of that very representative Chinese body in favour by a large majority of the proscription of the Union. I, therefore, laid the whole case before my Executive Council on the 26th May, inviting Dr. R. H. Kotewall, the junior Chinese Member of the Legislative Council (Sir Shouson Chow being absent in Japan on sick leave), the Captain Superintendent of Police, and the Director of Criminal Intelligence, to attend. I took the individual views of each person present; and, after withdrawal of the non-members, who all three were strongly in favour of pro scription, I took the votes of members for and against proscription. All voted in favour of proscription except Mr. D. G. M. Bernard, of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, who was of the opinion that the step might lead to fresh disorganisation of the now recovering trade of the Colony and would not strike at the vitals of this hostile Union, but would merely irritate it by "treading on its toes."
14. I am quite aware that the closure of the Hong Kong Union or branch may have very serious consequences, if not now, perhaps later when the Nationalist party is reunited by fresh victories. But Lam convinced, on the other hand, that firmness in a just cause, exemplified in the case of the s.s. Lungshan (see my secret despatch of the 24th Mayt), is the only method by which British trade and British interests can be maintained in China. This is a just cause. The Chinese Seamen's Union is a tool of Moscow, and in ejecting it the Government of this Colony does but follow the lead of His Majesty's Government and of China herself.
as
15. The order issued by the Governor-in-Council declares the Chinese Seamen's Union unlawful, without special reference to the status of
• Not printed.
† No. 14.
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the Hong Kong establishment as a branch of a wider organisation. The signboard of the premises in Hong Kong bore the full title, and only the full title. There was no addition, such as "Branch," although the circular professing allegiance to Hankow carried this limitation. The name on the signboard was appropriate to the order: and it is again fortunate that it was so, as (the order having been made in general terms) there is now an added difficulty in the way of the Union again finding any footing in this Colony.
16. The police action involved in executing the order to close the Seamen's Union was carried through without opposition or protest Among other things a quantity of pamphlets prepared for issue were seized and removed: they contained matter of an undesirable character, hat further time is necessary to permit of a careful examination of all the documents now in the custody of the police. No arrests were made.
17. No public sympathy has been expressed with the Union, either here or elsewhere. Indeed, the action of the Government appears to he generally and widely approved. It is even reported that members of the Union itself have expressed the opinion that the Government as saved them trouble, as the many scandals connected with the Union's finance would shortly have occasioned a revolt; and there is reason to believe that the great majority of the seamen themselves intensely disliked the Communist domination under which their Union had fallen.
18. It remains to supply the legitimate requirements of Chinese seamen through some form of Friendly Society and to limit the new Society, when formed, to non-political activities. The early enactment of an ordinance which it is proposed to introduce to the Legislative Council without delay, on the lines of the Trades Union Bill now before the House of Commons, will have an important bearing on this question; and steps are being taken to encourage the men themselves (whether members of the proscribed Union or not) to take the initiative in forming a new organisation on lines which will make it independent of orders from elsewhere and will secure a satisfactory control of the funds. Permission will not be given to revive in the Colony the name of the recently proscribed organisation, and a new name will be an The possi- essential part of any reconstituted association of seamen. bility of avoiding a single large amalgamated association and, in the interests of the men themselves, of encouraging separate associations for each "trade" concerned, will be borne in mind.
19. I need hardly add that nothing in the nature of the suppression of Trade Unionism is contemplated; but it has become impossible to tolerate in Hong Kong an anti-British political organisation, the tool of an alien Bolshevik Government, masquerading under the false colours of a Trade Union.
I have, &c.,
C. CLEMENTI,
Governor, de.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO