CO129-494 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [9-10] — Page 269

i

SECRET

SECRET.

PAR PHRASE.

Despatched 1745 14/9/26 Received 1530.14/9/26

*From-

To:-

G.Q.G. Home Kong.

The War Office.

repeated India.

254

1231 wipher 14/9/26.

Upper Yang tao. Naval expedition has been proposed

by the Commander in Chief against Yangsen from Ichang, Middle Yangtše. Hanyang and Hankow have been occupied by-Canton troops who have established themselves on left bank of river. Field gun and rifle fire being directed at British ships as they move up or down stream.

Minister has sent protest to the Government of Canton

through Consul General Canton.

Although hostile to Canton on the surface, Sun

Chuan Fang does not appear to have made any serious

opposition to Canton troop movements..

Swa tow. Report that Reds were evacuating premature.

Reported they have mined Sugar Loaf Channel and placed

restrictions on shipping.

Canton. Recent naval action on Upper Yangtae is

stated to have had a good effect in Canton coming as it did

simultaneously with naval action against strike pickets.

Boycott still being maintained on shore-through the agency

of Canton Government though strike plokots have been driven

off river. There is clearly no intention on part of

Canton government to settle boycott. Cable has been sent

to Colonial Office by the Governor Hong Kong suggesting

Bending of an ultima tun to Canton Government damending

cessation of all anti-British manifestations in Kwangtung

and on the Yangtse, failing acceptance he suggests ports

of Canton and Swatow be closed by naval action. Suggested

/by