- C 17
Kuomingtang armies advancing from Swatow and all hesitation on this score was turned automatically into stimulus. Canton became the seat of a violently radical government, claiming to be the National Government of China and working in the closest harmony with Moscow.
On the 15th June ten representatives from the Head Labour Union and Hoi Yuen went to Canton, where they had an interview with Liu Chung Hoi, a powerful member of the new Government with strong communist views. It was reported that this man had instructed the Hongkong delegates to set a general strike in motion. Financial assistance was promised also support, food and shelter to all strikers coming to Canton. 24 hours after this meeting many secret meetings were reported to be taking place in unions and Boarding Houses in the Colony. Rumours were set about to the effect that pitched battles would take place in Hongkong and that the Colony would be burnt to the ground. People were advised to leave the Colony at once, otherwise they would be shot down by British Imperialists.
On the 19th men employed by the Hongkong and Macao Steamboat Co. went on strike.
On the 20th and 21st the strike spread to the Hongkong Tramways Co. and servants employed by Europeans.
During the night of the 20th placards of a violently anti-British nature were posted all over the City. Seditious pamphlets were distributed in the streets calling upon the Chinese to rise and wipe out the British Imperialist and his "hunting dogs". Substantial rewards were offered by Government for the apprehension of persons circulating these pamphlets with the result that this method of propaganda quickly disappeared. But until an effective censorship was established hundreds of letters were sent through the post, threatening injury or death should persons receiving same continue working.
A Secret Strike Party calling themselves the "Labour Commission" was established. Their meeting place was the Hoi Yuen and various Seamen's Boarding Houses. This Commission was officially recognised by all Labour Unions which ceased work on receiving written instructions from them to do so. A man was arrested by the District Watchmen Inspector with over 20 of such letters in his possession, bearing the Labour Commission "Chop". He was sentenced to 7 months H.L. under the Emergency Regulations. By the end of the month the strike was almost general. It is estimated that during the first two weeks of the strike over 50,000 persons left the Colony.
- C 17
Kuomingtang armies advancing from Swatow and all hesitation on this score was turned automatically into stimulus. Canton be- came the seat of a violently radical government, claiming to be the National Government of China and working in the closest harmony with Moscow.
On the 15th June ten representatives from the Head Labour Union and Hoi Yuen went to Canton, where they had an inter- view with Liu Chung Hoi, a powerful member of the new Government with strong communist views. It was reported that this man had instructed the Hongkong delegates to set a general strike in motion. Financial assistance was promised also support, food and shelter to all strikers coming to Canton. 24 hours after this meeting many secret meetings were reported to be taking place in unions and Boarding Houses in the Colony. Rumours were set about to the effect that pitched battles would take place in Hongkong and that the Colony would be burnt to the ground. People were advised to leave the Colony at once, otherwise they would be shot down by British Imperialists.
On the 19th men employed by the Hongkong and Macao Steamboat Co. went on strike.
On the 20th and 21st the strike spread to the Hongkong Tramways Co. and servants employed by Europeans.
During the night of the 20th placards of a violently anti- British nature were posted all over the City. Seditious pam- phlets were distributed in the streets calling upon the Chinese to rise and wipe out the British Imperialist and his "hunting dogs". Substantial rewards were offered by Government for the apprehension of persons circulating these pamphlets with the result that this method of propaganda quickly disappeared. But until an effective censorship was established hundreds of letters were sent through the post, threatening injury or death. should persons receiving same continue working.
A
A Secret Strike Party calling themselves the "Labour Coin- mission" was established. Their meeting place was the Hoi Yuen and various Seamen's Boarding Houses. This Commis- sion was officially recognised by all Labour Unions which ceased work on receiving written instructions from them to do so. man was arrested by the District Watchmen Inspector with over 20 of such letters in his possession, bearing the Labour Commission "Chop". He was sentenced to 7 months H.L. under the Emergency Regulations. By the end of the month the strike was almost general. It is estimated that during the first two weeks of the strike over 50,000 persons left the Colony.
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