CO885-11 — Page 198

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.882/11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

50

9. To-day I have received a telegram from Mr. Brenan to the effect that he saw General Li Chai-sum yesterday and that General Li then said that, as the seamen's strike was against the Canton Govern- ment, he would protect the strike-breaking crew sent from Hong Kong and would stop picketing. In view of this message I have asked Mr. Hallifax once more to urge upon the Directors of the Steamboat Company the expediency of manning the S.S. Kinshan, when she comes out of duck, with a crew supplied by the "Hong Hoi" Seamen Union instead of reinstating the Canton Seamen's Union crew: but I have little hope of success.

I have, &c.,

C. CLEMENTI,

ENCLOSURE IN No. 12.

Governor, dc.

His Excellency met the Representatives of the Canton-Macau Steamboat Company this morning at Government House, consisting of Mr. Weall, Mr. Paterson, Mr. Staples Smith, Sir Robert Ho Tung, Mr. Hance, Mr. N. S. Brown, and Mr. Johnson, with the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Attorney-General and myself. His Excellency put forward the view that the present was a splendid opportunity for fighting the Canton Seamen's Union and urged the Directors to place a non-union crew on the Kinshan when she is put back on the run. in which case His Excellency was prepared to renew the guarantee against trade losses due to strike or hoycott, consequent on the employ- ment of a non-union crew,, for one month from the restarting of the Kinshan. After much discussion His Excellency went further and said that he would have no objection to the re-employment, individually, of members of the striking crew of the Kinshan on other boats pro- vided there was a delay of at least two weeks before their re-employ

on the Kinshan was 2. The proposal to place a non-union crew opposed by Mr. Weall and Mr. Brown, but supported by Sir Robert Ho Tung. After a long discussion the representatives of the Steamboat Company, except Mr. Brown, agreed to His Excellency's proposal sub- jeet to the following riders:-

ment.

Mr. Weall: That he held to his opinion, but was prepared to accept the Governor's advice.

Mr. Paterson: That he did not agree with the Governor, but the good will of the Hong Kong Government was of so much import- ance that he was prepared to accede to the Governor's wishes.

Mr. N. S. Brown: That he was unable to agree, but would refer the whole matter to his Directors in London, from whom he hoped to have a reply by the 22nd instant.

The matter stands over until Mr. Brown's decision is known.

(Intd.) w.r.s..

Colonial Secretary,

29th April, 1927.

(. 30001/27 B. [No. 12].

51

No. 13.

The Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the

(Secret:)

SIR,

Colonies.

(Received 30th May, 1927.)

Government House, Hong Kong, 27th April, 1927.

In continuation of my secret despatch of the 23rd April* on the subject of the manning of the British river steamers, I regret to have to report that the forecast contained in the last paragraph of that despatch has proved correct. Mr. Brenan's telegram failed to stiffen the attitude of the Directors and the striking crow of the s.s. Kinshan has been re-engaged with the exception of a few extremists who took a leading part in the communist "cell" proceedings. The remainder of the crew endeavoured to make a stand over the matter of wages during the period of absence; but, finding the owners firm, gave way without further argument. In addition to this practical lesson on the conse- quences of striking, the Companies have, I am informed, signed off a certain number of known Bolshevists from their other vessels and, although these have been replaced by other members of the Canton Union, I hope that the impression of abject surrender may have been mitigated to some slight extent.

I have, etc.,

C.30001/27 C. [No. 11],

No. 14.

C. CLEMENTI,

Governor, etc.

The Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the

(Secret.) SIR,

Colonies.

(Received 27th June, 1927.)

Government House, Hong Kong. 24th May, 1927.

During the week-end, 14th to 16th May, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. W. T. Southorn, was on a visit to Canton; and he happened to be in Mr. J. F. Brenan's office in Shameen on the morning of the 16th May, when Mr. G. H. Madden, master of the British river steamer Lungshan, owned by the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, called at the British Consulate and reported to the Consul-General that the Lungshan had been fired at by a number of Chinese soldiers in uniform, without any provocation, at 7 a.m. that morning, from the east or left bank of the river at a point slightly above the lighthouse marking the point of Dane Island, and not far from the Whampoa forts. Fortunately, there were no casualties but the ship was repeatedly struck by bullets, and about

No. 12.