CO885-11 — Page 81

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O.882/11

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5. As regards negotiation between the Hongkong Government and the Canton Government I doubt very much whether a visit of Mr. Fu Peng-sheung to me in Hongkong would serve any useful purpose at present, nor do I consider it advisable that Sir Shou-son Chow and Dr. Kotewall should visit Mr. Wong Tseng- wai in Canton until the Canton Government has formally con sented to appoint official delegates for the purpose of discussing But, when the a settlement with officials of this Government. official delegates on both sides have been appointed, then it would probably be advantageous to arrange a preliminary informal con- ference between the two Chinese members of the Hongkong Legislative Council and Mr. Wong Tseng-wai, so that official delegates on each side might have foreknowledge of the matters which are likely to be discussed. I have been given to under- stand that the delegates whom the Canton Government would be likely to appoint are Messrs. C. C. Wu, Sung Tsz-man and Fu Peng-sheung, all of whom speak fluent English. The delegates whom I have it in mind to appoint are Messrs. Hallifax, Kemp and Tratman.

6. It is, of course, conceivable that the present Canton Govern- " before ment may-as Sir James' telegram hints—" break up we can negotiate a settlement with its delegates. In that case a new situation will arise and our whole policy may have to be re- considered. But, so long as the present Canton Government continues to function, I think that we ought to persist in our efforts to negotiate with it an honourable settlement of the anti-British boycott.

I have, &c.,

C. CLEMENTI.

Governor. &c.

ENCLOSURE 1 IN NO. 13.

Letter from Mr. Foo Pengsheung.

DEAR SIR SHOU-SON AND MR. KOTEWALL,

Our conversations at Macao gave me unlimited pleasure and satisfaction.

On my I have received your letter and have noted its contents. return to Canton I, too, made a report to the Head (of the Government), and he was very pleased and gratified to hear of the indication of the sincere desire of the Hongkong Government to settle the trouble. He also earnestly hopes that a satisfactory settlement may be reached at an early date. As regards the details of the various points, he requests you in the first instance to come here for an informal discussion as to the modus operandi, and I will then go to Hongkong. This would seem to be the better procedure.

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I accordingly transmit this request to you in the belief that with your warm ardour for the public weal you will do your best to bring about the realisation of this proposal.

With compliments,

12th March, 1926.

ENCLOSURE 2 IN No. 13.

Memorandum.

FOO PENG-SHEUNG.

On Monday the 15th March, Mr. Wong Kwai-hi handed to Sir Shou-son Chow and Mr. R. H. Kotewall an autograph letter from Mr. Foo Ping-sheung, copy of which, together with the translation, is attached. To this letter was appended a note in Mr. Foo's hand which, translated, reads thus: Your letter has been submitted to the Head of our Government who gave instruc- tions for my reply. What is not stated therein will be personally conveyed to you by Mr. Wong Kwai-hi. Name known to you.'

Mr. Wong Kwai-hi said that he had an interview with Mr. Wong Ching-wei who informed him more or less to this effect:-- It was not that he (Wong Ching-wei) would not let Mr. Foo Ping-sheung come down to Hongkong to have an informal con- versation with His Excellency the Governor, but that he thought that such a visit would not lead to any practical result, in that Mr. Foo, not being on the Executive Council, would not be able to answer freely any questions which might be put to him by His Excellency; that, not knowing what questions would be put, Mr. Wong Ching-wei could not beforehand instruct him what to say; and that in view of Mr. Foo's, official position as Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, anything he might say might be considered as binding upon the Canton Government. Mr. Wong further said that of all persons in Canton he himself would be in the best position to answer questions, and to say how far the Canton Government could assist towards a settlement. Hence he desired the two Chinese members of the Hongkong Legislative Council to go up to Canton to have an informal discussion with him first: and after such discussion he would send down Mr. Foo Ping- sheung to see the Governor. He said that such a proposal was not made with a view to gaining face," but to secure the most and best practical results. If, however, the Hongkong Govern- ment desired to have an official meeting, he would be prepared to meet its wishes, but he considered that some understanding should be arrived at by informal conversations before an official confer- ence should take place, because any hitch or breakdown in official negotiations would be fatal. He also informed Mr. Wong Kwai-hi that he would be prepared to appoint Government officials of equal standing to meet and negotiate with officials appointed by the Hongkong Government for a settlement.

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