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earnest and were determined to continue the boycott until a satisfactory settlement was come to. Canton was becoming accustomed to boycott conditions and was adapting herself to them Big interests were growing up among the merchants which were strongly opposed to an arrangement. This was particularly the case with regard to shipping, and among merchants who had established with Shanghai and elsewhere a new trade which had formerly been with Hong Kong. Canton was finding that, in various ways, especially in coasting shipping, she could get along without Hong Kong,
I put to Mr. Sung the point of view of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong merchant claimed that labour had no grievance of any sort against himself or any Hong Kong conditions, and had gone on strike on account of circumstances which it was quite out of the power of anyone in Hong Kong to alter or control. Labour had done its utmost to ruin Hong Kong, and it was sheer blackmail to demand a money payment as a condition of terminating the boycott. The merchants could not be compelled to pay. Many of them would refuse absolutely to do so, and even if the merchants representatives should be in favour of a payment, it might be impossible to raise the money. Labour had done its utmost to deprive the merchants of the and it was unlikely that a large sum in ready cash could be made available. power to pay, Admittedly, with the revival of trade, prosperity would return, and payment could be made later, but it must be clearly understood that, if the merchants should decide to come to some such arrangement, the Hong Kong Government stood entirely aloof and assumed no responsibility whatever. It would be for labour and the merchants to arrange such guarantees as they could agree upon. The Government was not going to allow a repetition of the misunderstanding caused at the last strike by the Ho Tung incident (this had been discussed separately).
Mr. Sung suggested that the community should be taxed to provide the money, or it should be advanced out of the trade loan. I said that the former alternative was out of the question, and, with regard to the latter, the Government did not wish to countenance any payment. If, however, the question of a final settlement resolved itself into one of the provision of strike pay, there would be no longer any necessity for Government representatives, except that the Government of Hong Kong must ask the Canton Government to use its good offices in persuading the strikers to be reasonable and in inducing the Canton merchants to take their share. The position would be explained to the merchants in Hong Kong, and they, if they so desired. would select their own representatives to meet the strikers for the purpose of arriving at a satisfactory bargain, if possible.
Mr. Sung entirely concurred, being evidently relieved at the suggestion that officials from Canton should not be involved in the strike pay bargaining. He agreed that the view of Hong Kong, as expressed by me, was a most reasonable one, and be stated that prospects of a satisfactory settlement were more remote than he had at first thought, as both sides bad such a strong case. He still maintained, however, that Hong Kong would be well advised to give way, and that no settlement was possible unless she did.
In the course of our conversation, I said that it was reported that there was to be an anti-Christian demonstration at Christmas, and I suggested that the Canton authorities should do what they could to discountenance it, both on general grounds and also in view of the negotiations which were in prospect. Mr. Sung said that his Government was in no sense hostile to Christianity or to any other religion. They believed in entire freedom with regard to religious beliefs. They would take the necessary action to keep the demonstration within strict bounds.
On arrival off Shameen, Mr. Sung's motor-boat came alongside and he offered to land me in Shameen. As we were leaving the ship, Mr. Fitzmaurice, the vice- consul, came on board, and the motor-boat put back and took him off. At the Shameen steps Mr. Sung directed a coolie in the boat to carry my bag, but the coolie was stopped by a small Indian policeman, who would not let him pass, in spite of the vice-consul's protests. The incident undoubtedly created an unfortunate impression, and I record it as significant of the atmosphere which apparently surrounds the consulate. Mr. Sung had previously volunteered the statement that the Government found the consul-general most difficult.
On landing, I reported the conversations at Government House and my conver- sations with Mr. Sung to the consul-general. Sir James expressed the opinion that Mr. Sung was a man of parts, but a nonentity in the Government, an opinion which. I informed him, I was unable to endorse. I asked Sir James for his view on the question of strike pay. He was not definite as to the British merchants, but he
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thought that the Chinese should pay. A settlement was imperative-at least, in so far as British shipping was concerned and, after all, it was the usual practice in China. Whatever the rights and wrongs of a dispute, it was always settled by a payment exacted from the merchants. The Hong Kong Government's great mistake in the seamen's strike was the closing of the Seamen's Union. That step should never have been taken.
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At 10-30 P.M. Mr. Maurice Cohen brought a note from Mr. Sung regarding the arrangements made. I took the opportunity to ask Mr. Cohen some questions, and be thereupon volunteered his views on the whole situation. A settlement was earnestly desired. The man who counted was Mr. Sung. He had very great influence, and the fact that he had been chosen to go to Hong Kong was most significant. He would never have gone unless he had felt confident that a settlement was really in sight, as he would lose face if it fell through. But Borodin was a power to be reckoned with. He still had great influence, especially with Mr. Sung, who was his particular friend. The Canton Government owed the Russians a great debt of gratitude. Mr. Cohen had arranged with Dr. Sun to enlist Canadians to train his army, and he had actually got the men, but the consul-general stood in the way they must register at the consulate and would not be allowed to do the work. There was then nothing for it but to employ Germans or Russians, and Borodin came forward. Borodin saw exactly what was wanted, and he brought out his men. They were of an inferior type, but the material was so bad that anyone could effect an improvement. The Cantonese would never have had a chance against the Kwong Sai troops and the Yunnanese had it not been for the Whampoa Cadets, and they were amazed at the astonishing results of the Russian training. They also received arms and munitions from the Russians, and they recognised that their present success was based on the foundation laid by the Russians. The Government was, however, tired of the Russians, and it was quite possible that they might be turned out neck and crop at any time. Mr. Sun Fo hated them, and he especially hated Borodin. Mr. Sun Fo, by reason of and this was a most important factor in the situation.
his being Dr. Sun Yat-sen's son, had an immense influence, and the Canton Govern- ment was most anxious to conciliate him and to get him to return. The Canton Government had come to stay, and the only possible danger to it was Mr. Sun Fo, whose personal following was such that he could, if he so desired, place himself in supreme power in Canton without any armed force, provided that he proceeded along the present lines. I may note here that Mr. Sung had said that the troubles in the north had been useful to Canton in the sense that the military chiefs had had their hands too full to interfere effectively, and Canton was by this time so strong that no party in China dare now attack her. Canton, for her part, did not propose to send any expedition to the north, as the cost would be far too great and she would dissipate her strength.
Mr. Cohen went on to say that I could look upon Mr. Foo Ping-sheung as a personal friend and a strong advocate of a settlement. Mr. C. C. Wu also wanted to settle. Mr. Tam Ying-kai was a particularly pleasant man, and a scholar. He would go
with the majority. Mr. Wong Tsing-wai wanted a settlement, but he was difficult to deal with. Mr. Cohen could tell me in strict confidence that the strikers were, in fact, supported by the Government, but the Government was sincerely anxious to get rid of them, and the time was entirely opportune for coming to terms. There were three German aviators employed, but they kept out of politics. Mr. Coben produced for my inspection à contract in original, signed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Northern Construction Company (Limited), of Vancouver, dated the 12th April, 1923, under which the company was to build the uncompleted portion of the Canton-Hankow Railway.
At 11 A.M. on the 21st December, I went, accompanied by Mr. Fitzmaurice, There we met Mr. Wong to Government House, in the old Viceroy's yamen Ching-wai, Mr. C. C. Wu, T. V. Sung, Foo Ping-sheung, and Mr. Luk King-fò, the last-named interpreting, as Mr. Wong did not know English. I was received in a most cordial manner, and I expressed to Mr. Wong Ching-wai the Governor's warm regard, the pleasure which it had given him to receive Mr. Sung, and his gratification that the two Governments had got together in this friendly manner. We agreed that both Governments were entirely sincere in their desire to bring about a settlement of the strike and boycott, and it was decided that, as nothing definite was known of the strikers' attitude beyond the terms which they bad It was emphasised by both sides published, it would be as well to analyse them. that neither Government had any official cognisance of them.
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