CO129-434 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [7-8] — Page 74

CONFIDENTIAL.

HONGKONG.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

11th July, 1916.

71

Bir,

tas

I have the honour to confirm my cypher telegram

of yesterday's date in which I summarised representations

made to me by the Chinese Un-official Members of Council on

the subject of the present unsettled condition in Kwangtung

which has for months now paralysed the enormous trade of this

Colony with that province.

The Chinese community is nervous test the defeat

of the troops of General Lung may result in looting at Canton,

and their references to protection of British property and interests refer to the protection of property on the Shamien, British steamers in the West River trade and the Canton-Kowloon Railway. Their idea is that a threat to use force to protect these would induce some decisive and satisfactory action on the part of the Central Government and they are of opinion that the show of even small forces would have beneficial re- -sults. Particularly do they resent what they rightly or wrongly regard as Japanese interference in a sphere where British trade and British interests are paramount.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Amaz

Governor,&c..

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ANDREW BONAR LAW, M.P.,

20.,

&c.,

&c...