CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5] — Page 59

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

"Hongkong Telegraphy" Enclosure No.2.

HONGKONG AND CANTON.

MR. SUN FO IMPRESSED WITH GOVERNOR.

HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT.

During his recent stay in Hongkong, whilst en route to Canton, Mr. Sun Fo (son of the late Dr. Sun Yat-sen) made a call at Government House.

In the course of an interview with a Press correspondent, Mr. Sun expressed himself has having been greatly impressed with the personality of His Excellency the Governor, especially with his knowledge of the Chinese and their literature. With such a Governor in Hongkong, Mr. Sun thinks that the differences between

his Colony and Canton should be easily overcome.

can never flourish in

In the course of an interview, expressed the opinion that Bol- Mr. Sun Fo said that during his absence on leave he was occupied entirely with matters connected with the construction of the mausoleum of his late father, and as all contracts relating theret were now signed, and the work of construction was about to com- mence, he had decided to go to Canton for a short visit, and most likely, he would later return to

look after the construction of the

mausoleum.

1

shevism China, as the minds of the people are so grooved in their traditions and time-honoured customs. Edu- cation, religious belief, and, above all, the moral teachings of Con- fucius, are opposed to such doctrines. Where the misconcep- tion lies," he said, "is in the fact that Soviet officers are in the ser- vice of the Canton Government, which has given occasion to the opponents of the Revolutionary Party to spread all sorts of false

"It is most unfortunate," he said, "that there should be a split in the Kuomintang, especially at this present time, when the latest political developments in the North show that no one militari or a combination can bring about the unification of China. In their efforts, they are fundamentally on the wrong tack, because they do not interpret the sign of the times correctly. Military strength alone will not accomplish the ob- ject. Nor will the free and in- discriminate employment of silver and gold do so. Both of these

means have been tried and found

wanting. It is the co-operation of the people, under the guidance | of self-sacrificing and upright men of a high moral calibre, as their public servants-this, and this alone, will bring about the

unity of the people and the unity of the country. This is the inter- pretation by the Kuomintang of the sign of the times. To revolu- tionize individual Chinese is the

aim and object of the Kuomintang. In a broad sense, to make a clean sweep in the body politie and in the social fabric of China is the aspiration of the Kuomintang."

"I regard this present split," continued Mr. Sun, "as of no significance to the cause of the Kuomintang. It is the work of few discontented ones, who, being men of intelligence and rea- son, will be brought to see their mistaken views and again become reconciled to the party."

a

As to the Government at Canton being Communistic, Mr. Sun Fo

and libellous rumours about the Canton Government. But I wish to ask you one question:--Can there be real friendship between two persons who are not on equal footing? Inequality breeds fear, suspicion, distrust and dis- like. What is the result? Open conflict, of course.

But the con- comitants of equality are good- will, confidence, trust and friend- ship, and the natural result is

mutual co-operation. The same is true of nations. Now the Soviet is the only country which accords us equal treatment. Where then is the wrong in the employment of Russian officers in an advisory capacity only?"

our

With regard to the strike and its solution, Mr. Sun Fo remark- ed that he is not in a position to express an opinion, because he had been away all these months. "But this I can say, that I was greatly impressed with the ner- sonality of the Governor of Hong- kong. I received the impression that he is of the best type of an English gentleman. with the polish of the best type of literate, coupled with broad and sympathetic views of the Chinese people which could only be obtain- ed through a good knowledge of our literature. It struck me with such a British official, the friend- ly relationship between Great Britain and China would be

closer cemented and all dif-

ferences, mistaken impressions and the like can be easily straightened out."

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