CO129-477 - Public Offices - 1922 — Page 216

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been elected President, as such election has entirely upset

his own plans for the reformation of China, and it would seem

impossible to devise means of inducing him to abdicate.

He is

General Ch'en is not a selfseeker of the average Tuchun

type, but a genuine patriot sincerely desirous of doing the

best he can, in the first place for the welfare of his province,

and then for that of the country as a whole. His methods are

moderate, circumspect and not devoid of commonsense.

liked by the officers and men under his command, is respected

by the people, and is thoroughly straightforward and honest.

In so far as one can judge, he is well-dieposed towards Great

Britain at least he is on the best of terms with myself

were he compelled to resign, there would be small hope of an

early re-establishment of neighbourly relations on a friendly

footing between Hongkong and Kuangtung.

and

In connection with the struggle for the control of the

Mint, it is not without significance that yesterday afternoon,

on the pretext of presenting me with a photograph of the opening

of the Association of the Chambers of Commerce, Liu Huan,

Chairman thereof and Director of the Mint, enquired through his

right-hand man Yuan Ch'en sun (Un Kam-sun) whether or not it

would be possible for the two to obtain accommodation in the

Victoria Hotel on Shameen. I expressed regret that the Hotel

was debarred by its licence from accepting Chinese residential

guests.

I have,

etc..

(Sed.) J.V. JAMIESON.

Consul General.