CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 590

*!

287

IC WALL on boat

+

VOT?

* 23

ני

586

In a conversation this morning with Mr. Lo Chong, he

informed me confidentially that a reliable member of the

Tuchun's staff had informed him of the arrival of an

emissary from Ch'ên Ch'ing Ming, with a proposal of cessa-

tion of hostilities on condition that the Tuchun should ob-

tain for Ch'en the post of Tuchun of Kuangtung: Ch'ên would

then be prepared to lead an attack on Canton for the Chinese

Government.

I doubt that Li Hou-chi has sufficient influence at

present in Peking circles to be able to consider Ch'ên's of-

fer; but there is a feeling that Hau Shih-chang, in his new

office of President, may be able to bring about an armistice.

I have etc..

(SD) B. Y. Tours.

H.M.Consul,

|