CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923 — Page 322

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(F 2405/2405/10)

Sir R. Macleay to Lord Curzon,

Peking, August 11th.

Canton Government and Hongkong.

320

An incident of grave importance has just arisen, and I trust that I may receive Your Lordship's support

in the action which I have taken.

On July 31st the Governor of Hongkong telegraphed to me regarding the Salt Administration's Revenue Iaunch "Suuiam" which for some weeks past has been under repair

at Hongkong, since the time when the inspectors withdrew

her in order that she might not be used by the Canton

authorities in the Civil War. Sir R. Stubbs stated that

there was danger that the Canton authorities would en-

deavour to seize the "Suuiam" and he therefore requested

that she might be removed immediately after the repairs

were finished, When this was referred to the Salt

Inspectors they suggested that the precedent of 1919 which was adopted on the initiative of the Hongkong government

should be followed and that the vessel should be interned,

because she cannot proceed north under her own steam

during the Typhoon season and sile is probably too large

to be hoisted on to another vessel.

To this proposal Sir R. Stubbs replied asking me to

inform the inspectors that the ship must be removed,

alleging that the Canton government laid claim to the ship

as their own property and demanded its surrender to them

hinting openly that if their request was not granted they

would proceed to seize her by force. Sir R. Stubs added

that he would consider himself justified in surrendering

the/