(
207
Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his allies have control. The second would be the complete paralysis of the commerce of this Colony. The strike of 1922 has shew how entirely dependent our trade is upon the attitude of Canton and there cannot be the slightest doubt that an open declaration of hostility by Dr. Sun Yat-sen coupled with an appeal to the labour guilds of the Colony would lead to a general strike compared with which the troubles of last year would be insignificent. 10. It is not for me to express an opinion on the Chinese policy of His Majesty's Government but I do beg Your Grace's earnest attention to the fact that it is of vital importance to this Colony that we should remain on good terms with the de facto authorities of Canton, even at the risk of offending whatever Government may be nominally in power in Peking. It is not solely a question of the interests of Hongkong. The paralyzing of the commercial activities of this Colony, which it is in the power of Canton to effect, would mean the collapse at least temporarily of British trade throughout practically the whole of China and it may well be doubted whether the ground lost could ever be regained. I submit, therefore, that in
doing our best to preserve friendly relations with Canton
we are doing good work for the Empire and that when the results of months of patient effort are put in jeopardy by the wanton acts of the Salt Administration the time has come
to protest in the most vigorous terms.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble servant,
B.E. Stübbe
Governor,
&c.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.