CO129-489 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Sir Clementi - 1925 [8-12] — Page 250

5.

6.

in July last at a Chinese river port. The steamer, which was on its way from the Canton Delta to the neighbourhood of Swatow, had some 150 armed men on

board, and it is probable that the coxswain, who 250

had an interest in the ownership of the vessel, purposely brought her within British jurisdiction. The officer in charge of the revenue launch, although unarmed, ordered the steamer to proceed into the harbour, where the men were disarmed and were sent back by rail to Canton, with the exception of five doubtful characters who are being detained for further examination.

4. Your telegram of the 24th September 1925 regarding the proposed loan has had a wonderful affect upon the financial situation, more particularly

as your response to the Colony's request was so

prompt. I enclose copies of letters from the

Chinese members of the Legislative Council and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce expressing

their gratitude. I attach also a copy of the original their gratitude. petition from the Chinese General Chamber of Commerçe asking for a loan. Confidence is now largely restored, the run on the Chinese banks has ceased, and money is circulating with much greater freedom. It is reported on good authority that the strikers in Canton are correspondingly depressed, as the prospect widely advertised among them, that Hongkong would be squeezed dry in a few weeks, is now obviously more remote.