CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2] — Page 517

CONFIDENTIAL.

C.O.

513

0121

19 18 MAR (3)

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 22nd. February, 1913.

Sir,

6639

In continuation of my Confidential Despatch

of the 31st. of January, I have the honour to inform you that it is

reported in the local Press that the election of representatives

of Chinese resident abroad took place in Peking early in this

month. It seems that 163 delegates voted and that 3 Chinese resi-

-dent in San Francisco, New York and Honolulu respectively and 3

resident in the Straits Settlements were elected. There is no

mention of any delegate from Hongkong among the 163 who voted.

All the six representatives are members of the

Kuo Ming Tang (or Nationalist party) in which has been merged the

Tung Ming Wui. The Nationalist party is in favour of autonomy for

the Provinces similar to that enjoyed by the States in North

America. There are 2 other parties of importance. The Democratic

Party which differs little from the Nationalist Party except that

it favours adult suffrage; and the Republican Party which favours

centralization of Government. This latter party has few adherents

in South China.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&C..

&c...

Governor,&C..