CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5] — Page 218

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From the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for

the Colonies,

Dated 4th March

(Received Colonial Office 7.33 a.m, 4th March, 1926)

Following telegram ia in R. code for convenience of repati-

tion to Peking, begins;

I have received copy of Foreign office telegram to Peking No.79 and of Bir J,Macleay's telegrams Rp.82 of the 1st and No.83

in reply.

After full discussion in the Mecutive Council with

its unanimous approval 1 mm of opinion that a formal despatch should be addressed by Hong Kong Government to His Majesty's Consul General at Canton for communication to the Canton Govern= ment in the following six paragraphs in which Sir James Jamieson

who has seen the draft concurs;

1, Violations of treaty obligations which are not of se called unequal class during the strike and the boycott have occasioned serious leases to Hong Kong for which Canton Govern- ment is responsible. Despatch specifically excludes loss which would more properly form subject of protest by the Consul General

at Canton,

2.

Treaty of Nanking, Article I beycott practically amounte to war. British shipping denied facilities, non-British ships penalised if they visit Hong Kong or carry British goods. British Strike pickets have trade stopped and British goods confiscated. committed series of outrages on the frontier.

3.

Treaty of Tientsin Article 13 violated by strike.

4. Canton Government olearly responsible both as de facto Government and on account of proved complicity with the strike

committee,

5. Strongly protests and demands punishment of guilty and

lifting of the boycott.

6. Estimate