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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

IFFC.O.882/11

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

274

On the understanding that the above is the undertaking implied in your letter, the British gunboats have been withdrawn from the wharves, and the recent additional measures taken by the British naval vessels in Canton harbour will cease temporarily. The right is reserved, however, to resume liberty of action if it is found that the undertaking is not being carried out, and it again becomes necessary to protect British interests against picket outrages, or if the negotiations for a settlement of the boycott issue are not resumed within a reasonable time.

In the meanwhile, I will do my best to further the programme arranged between us at yesterday's interview, and I can assure you of my earnest desire to assist in any efforts which may be made by the Canton Government to reach a solution of the pre- sent difficulties.

Eugene Ch'ên, Esquire,

Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Canton.

ENCLOSURE 4 IN No. 32.

Yours, &c.,

J. F. BRENAN.

H.B.M. Consulate-General, Canton, 13th September, 1926.

DEAR SIR CECIL,

With reference to my telegram of yesterday, I enclose copies of Ch'ên's letter and my reply regarding the temporary cessation of naval measures in Canton harbour.

The letters themselves should not be published, but I think it very desirable that the public should be informed that we have only removed the gunboats from the wharves on the Canton Government giving an undertaking that the river will in future be properly policed by themselves, and that if this undertaking is not carried out, we reserve the right to resume action.

I shall write a further official report as soon as I have time to see how things are shaping, but at the moment my typist is ill and I am rather rushed with work.

His Excellency,

Yours, &c.,

J. F. BRENAN.

Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.G., etc., etc., etc.,

Hongkong.

it.

275

ENCLOSURE 5 IN No. 32.

From Senior Naval Officer, West River, to Commodore, Hongkong.

(Dated 13th September, 1926.)

[TELEGRAM.]

After strikers' examination wharf had been cleared it was kept clear by armed launches lying at British wharf which is next to Consul-General urgently requests me not to keep armed He considers launches there but to leave that section alone. further interference there would constitute breach of his side of agreement with Minister for Foreign Affairs, which comprised cessation of abnormal naval activity on our part in return for undertaking by Chinese to police harbour themselves, suppress- ing irregular acts on river and re-opening boycott negotiation. Their side of agreement has hitherto been observed. Consul- General requests me to inform you that he has sent full report on political aspect to Governor, Hongkong and Foreign Office, London.

(1730/13.)

ENCLOSURE 6 IN No. 32.

From Commodore, Hongkong, to Senior Naval Officer, West River.

(Dated 13th September, 1926.) [TELEGRAM.]

NODECO. Your 1030/12 as Consul-General has requested armed launches to be moved from British wharves this is approved temporarily. First and second instructions in my 1145 of 3rd September are to be rigidly adhered to, and armed launches are to be replaced at British wharves at first sign of breach of faith or interference by pickets.

(1305.)

ENCLOSURE 7 IN No. 32.

Extract from Kwok Man San Man, Canton, 9th September, 1926.

Translation.

Notification by the Nationalist Government in connexion with the unlawful landing of British troops.

Grave protest has been made.

Citizens to refrain from rash actions.

Of late the British Imperialists have given many exhibitions of trickery. They have sent gunboats into the waters of Canton,