closures 2-4.
nclosure 5.
6.
205
The result of this amicable settlement, from
the point of view of Hongkong, was immediate and far- reaching. Most cordial relations were at once re- established with Canton and they continued uninterrupted,
to the very great benefit of the Colony's trade, until the Spring of 1921, when relations again became strained in another connection.
7.
Care was taken to make it quite clear to Peking that the Hongkong Government would not allow a repetition of the gunboat incident. Under date the 14th May, 1919, His Majesty's Minister was informed that "For the reasons explained in my despatch of the 25th April this Government is not prepared to permit the Colony to be used as a base of operations by the Government at Peking. It has no objection to the Salt Gabelle vessels coming and going on their lawful business, but it is not willing to give them permanent sanctuary against seizure by an opposing political faction"; and on the 21st June, 1919, the Colonial Secretary wrote to Mr. J. Parsons, the local representative of the Salt Administration, confirming what he had said at
a personal interview:- "It must be understood that, if a Salt Launch comes to the Colony from Canton, this Goverment
will not permit the Salt Administration to detain it in
Hongkong beyond the period necessary for repairs, unless the Canton Authorities agree to a longer detention". I attach
copies of further correspondence with Mr. Parsons which took place at the end of 1922.
On the 21st July, 1922, Mr. Eugene Chen,
Secretary to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, addressed to this Government
a letter, of which I enclose a copy, regarding the Salt
Administration's vessel "Suinem", whereupon it was ascertained, an enquiry from Mr. Parsons, that the Administration was again using Hongkong as a place of
refuge, in deliberate violation of the conditions which had
been
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