CO129-391 - Acting Governor Claud Severn Governor Sir May - 1912 [7-8] — Page 138

Sent på Siberia under cover

to the 1hr S'hai Bank.

JR 24/8

CONFIDENTIAL.

Sor 26748/25.

133

Along

sir,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 23rd. July, 1912.

I have the honour to submit the following

information gleaned with the assistance of Ir. E. R. Hallifax, Registrar-General, from various sources concerning the political situation in Canton, with some observations on the outlook viewed from the standpoint of this Colony.

2.

The Provincial Government has practically no authority outside of the City of Canton and its suburbs. Trade on

the West River would be at a standstill if it were not protected by the flotilla of His Majesty's vessels which assists in the policing of the river. The land frontier of this Colony is guarded by troops.

to prevent the incursion of armed bands of robbers.

3.

At the head of the Government is Tu Hon-man,

who for many years accompanied Dr. Sun Yat-sen on his travels

abroad and for the 4 years preceding the revolution was a Chinese

newspaper Elitor in Hongkong. He appears to be incapable and un- -popular. He owes his appointment entirely to the influence of

Dr. Sun whom he accompanied on the latter's visit to Nanking. But on the 12th. of July his appointment (which like all other appoint- -nents under the Republic is provisional) was confirmed by a

Presidential order of Yuan Shi-kai.

Among the most important officials under the

Governor-

4.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P..

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