435
>
Canton Government, nor is he a member of the Canton Council of Government. He cannot be considered to be of equal official standing with Mr. J.H.Kemp and he is not, of course, one of the three officials nominated last month by the Canton Government to negotiate with the Hongkong Government for a settlement of the boycott.
Dr. Lam arrived in Hongkong from Canton
3.
by river-steamer on the afternoon of the 27th April and at once went to visit Dr. R.H.Kotowall, an old
friend of his. At about 3.30 p.m. on the same afternoon
he called on Mr. D..Tratman, acting Secretary for
Chinese Affairs, accompanied by Dr. Kotevall. Mr. Tratman asked Dr. Lam for his credentials. He thereupon referred to Mr. Brenan's telegram, which he said was arranged between Mr. Fu Feng-sheung and Mr. Fitzmaurice, and he produced a minute of a meeting of the Canton Council of Government, signed by General T'am Yin-hoi, the acting Chairman, according to which it was decided that Dr. Lam should take to Hongkong "an aide-memoire
explaining the attitude of the Canton Government
towards the settlement of the strike". Dr. Lam
said that this "aide-memoire" was a type-written English note. It was not signed, but it was drawn up
by the Canton Government and was not intended for
presentation to me but rather as a guide to himself
in a conversation, strictly unofficial and informal, which he hoped to have with me. Mr. Tratman pointed
out that the usual channel for communications to
me was through the Secretary for Chinese Affairs or
the Colonial Secretary. Dr. Lam then said that the
document was intended for me personally and that he
did not think it would be proper to deliver it
otherwise than personally. Mr. Tratman replied that
2
he
132
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.