CO129-493 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [6-8] — Page 283

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Enclosure No.3.

Hon. Colonial Secretary,

281

On arrival at the frontier yesterday at 1.15, we found Sub-Inspector Haare with the Captain Superintendant of Police's letter to the Sham Chum Commander unopened in his hands. He reported that the picket to whom he tried

to give it had refused it but that word had come later that the Chief Strike Picket would come to the Bridge Head at 1.30.

Mr. Gerrard, Kr. Williams and I waited at the Bridge Head, while the troops were posted in various positions in our territory. We were informed that it was not the intention of the General Officer Commanding to send any troops over the border. A suggestion had been made that a small bady of Police (about 30 I think) might make a forcible attempt to rescue the 7 captured men from the train in which it was rumoured that they were about to be sant to Canton. The troops were to "cover" the operation. Reflection will show that this suggestion was quite

impracticable, as the captives would have been put on the

train at the Sham Chum Market Station, which is nearly or

quite a mile over the border.

At about 1.45 a picket came to ask for the

letter, but while we were recalling Sub-Inspector Hoare

who had gone to the Telephone booth, the picket started back to Sham Cham at a good pace. Mr. Gerrard, Mr. Williams and I decided to follow him with the letter. Accompanied

by Mr. Kwok, Police Interpreter, we overtook him and continued on saying we would like to see the picket chief. After about 25 minutes walk we reached his headquarters, which were in a Kwan Yin Temple in the Market. A body of

I armed men stood outside and proposed to search us. explained that we had a letter for Mr. Fu (the Chief)

which he had sent for and that we wished to have an

interview