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5. For demands on Hong Kong see my despatch No. 46 of 27th September. Hong Kong objects to having its Constitution revised or a new one dictated by strike committee, who later added a demand that Chinese coinage be allowed to circulate in the colony. Local Government contend that Hong Kong Government representa- tives must negotiate here with strikers direct, they assuming a mediatory rôle only. This is humiliating.
Canton aims at abolition of all that is comprised in the phrase "unequal treaties." Fiction of control by Peking should be abandoned, and I suggest experiment of offering it independent recognition.
I will enquire if visit of Boxer delegation will do good, but am doubtful. I am disposed to favour offer of grant as suggested.
(Repeated to Peking, No. 9.)
ANNEX XIX.
Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Telegraphic.) P.
I AM repeating this telegram to Peking and Canton.
February 6, 1926.
of
I have received from His Majesty's Minister, Peking, copies of telegram No, 35 from the Foreign Office and of his reply dated the 1st February (No. 10). A copy a telegram dated the 2nd February (No. 5) from His Majesty's consul-general, Canton, to the Foreign Office has also been sent to me. Barton is in the colony (on a visit from Shanghai); I have taken counsel with him and O'Malley. On the 6th February they both depart for Shanghai. In addition I have discussed with Hallifax, Kemp and Tratman. What follows represents our unanimous opinion:-
(A.) It would be correct to look upon the Government of Canton as a rebel Government in insurrection against Peking and other parts of China. We under- stand from His Majesty's consul at Swatow that it is at present engaged in offensive operations against Fukien. In our opinion actual hostilities in Kuangtung would not constitute recognition of an independent Government in Canton. We consider. however, that such hostilities in Kuangtung are not at present to be recommended, In our opinion the time has gone by for warlike action to be undertaken in Kuangtung by Great Britain alone, except at the risk of jeopardising our future economic relations with China. We are, however, of the opinion that it would be advantageous if very strong pressure could be brought to bear on the representatives in London of the chief maritime Powers with a view to joint action being taken at this juncture. The action which we suggest was outlined in my telegram of the 26th January.
(B.). Treaty rights have in fact been violated in a flagrant manner, and the open door has in fact been closed against the British by Canton. The Government of Canton has definitely stated that they do not regard as valid, what they call the unequal treaties." Until they were expelled by British troops, pickets of the Canton strikers invaded and occupied a district near Shataukuk in the new territories. A police launch of the colony has again and again been fired on in British water (the Shamchun River) by such pickets. A company of the Punjabi Regiment has also been fired on while patrolling the frontier near Takuling. In contravention of the joint working agreement, trains of the Kowloon-Canton Railway have been prevented from crossing the frontier in either direction. Villagers crossing the frontier have been waylaid by the pickets, who have levied toll on them. The importa- tion of foodstuffs has also been prevented. On the 16th July eight Chinese women bringing fruit into British territory from China were also fired on by pickets of strikers. Two of the women were killed, and two were drowned. The pickets seized three and sent them to Canton. The importation of British goods into Canton is entirely prevented by the Strike Committee, who enforce their prohibition by con- fiscating the goods. Cadman (a British subject) of the Asiatic Petroleum Company was seized and thrown into prison by the Strike Committee. At the same time two Indian firemen were also seized, imprisoned for a considerable period and treated very brutally. At present an Indian steamer guard is detained by the committee in custody. Pickets are maintained round Shameen. Any articles carried to the British or French concessions from the native city by any nationals are confiscated. Rules for coastal shipping (ride the 4th enclosure in the Governor's confidential despatch (3) of the 21st August) are still vigorously maintained. Chinese are prevented (at
77
Canton and Swatow) from intercourse with British subjects (not excluding the consul- general or consul, in any capacity). This is enforced by torture and death. The following are the treaties violated:
Nanking Treaty (articles 2, 5 and 10).
Tien-tsin Treaty (articles 11, 13, 14 and 18).*
The Government of Canton has neither prevented these contraventions of treaties nor punished the parties guilty of contravention, in spite of the fact that not only has it been called upon to do so, but has at its disposal military forces adequate for the purpose. The Strike Committee on the contrary is publicly recognised by the Canton Government as practically constituting a Government Department, More. over. assistance in picketing operations has been given by the Government to Canton gunboats. The Canton Government is fully responsible for infractions of the law committed by the Strike Committee. We consider emphatically that having regard to the following facts, action should be taken under article 9 of the Washington Nine- Power Treaty :-
-
(1) Trade with Canton is forbidden to British merchants.
(2.) Other nationals are not so prevented, provided they do not deal with British
goods.
(3) No facilities at Canton are allowed to British shipping.
(4) Facilities are not denied to the shipping of other nations provided Hong
Kong is avoided and British goods are not carried.
(C.) Provided Admiral Li (who has four cruisers at his disposal) will under- take (1) to patrol the mouth of the West River and the Hainan Strait, and (2) to take action against Chinese pirates, we favour the grant of assistance to the Chinese navy. This subject is dealt with in my telegrams of the 8th December and the 19th January and in my despatch of the 20th January (Secret) and your telegram of the 30th January.
(D) The suggestion that pressure should be brought to bear at Moscow. In our opinion, the expulsion of the Bolsheviks from Canton is an essential preliminary to a permanent settlement. The possibility of the effective steps taken in 1923 (in regard to trawlers, &c.) being repeated should be considered. If this were possible it might provide the solution of the Kuangtung troubles without the use of force and without antagonising the Chinese
(E.) The question of conciliation. See Enclosure 7 in Governor's confidential despatch of the 2nd October for the demands of Canton.
The only body in Canton with which my Government can negotiate is the Government of Canton. Apart from Canton workmen (with whom the Colonial Government has no concern), the Strike Committee consists of former Hong Kong workmen (whose return we do not desire, since the colony is better off without them). The advisers of the committee are Red Russians. The Colonial Government cannot possibly conduct negotiations with such a body. If such negotiations were begun, our prestige would suffer to such an extent that the future good government of the colony would be imperilled. Furthermore, a very detrimental effect would be produced on British interests in Shanghai if the Kuangtung anti-British boycott were to end in the humiliation of the colony or in any way (e.g., by the payment of blackmail in the guise of strike pay, by the reinstatement of strikers, or the payment of compen- sation for loss) which would enable the Government of Canton, the Strike Committee or the Red Russians to proclaim the settlement as a success. Moreover, such an ending would constitute à direct incitement to the renewal of anti-British agitation at Shanghai and in other places.
Canton grievances. In a communiqué to the press (copy sent home with my secret despatch of the 28th January) the [] Commissary for Foreign Affairs has recently declared that the strike was begun by workers in the colony primarily as a protest against the British Government for the shooting which occurred on the 23rd June at Canton, and not for economic reasons.
Neither the strike nor the boycott which has followed it have been caused by any actions or neglect by the Colonial Government or the inhabitants of the colony. Hong Kong is in advance of China in legislation for the benefit of labourers. Economically, workmen in the colony are better off than in China. It is decidedly my intention to exert my personal influence to induce the Government of Canton to
• See Annex XXII.
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