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(2.) Whether (in the event of the Canton Government ignoring such a censure) all the Powers would be willing to institute a boycott of Canton pending the removal of the anti-British boycott. His Majesty's Government might put to the Powers the point that it is an unfriendly act for non-British shipping to avoid Hong Kong at the dictation of the Strike Committee at Canton.
In order to render the suggested action effective, special measures would have to be taken to prevent Russian and Chinese ships from trading with Canton. Steps should be taken to find out whether this task would be undertaken by the Chinese Naval forces.
It is our unanimous opinion that-
(1) The Anti-British boycott is mainly attributable to the Red Russians at
Canton.
(2.) If the existing situation is to he relieved, it is essential that they should be
removed.
We are very strongly of opinion that the British Government should take action at Moscow with a view to obtaining the removal from Kwangtung of all Bolsheviks.
If these suggestions are not practical politics, we cannot think of any other line of action than war with Canton. Unless, however, America, France and Japan would co-operate (and preferably other maritime Powers, too), warlike action would jeopardise future commercial relations between Great Britain and China (and particularly between this Colony and Canton).
It is our unanimous opinion that, if it is not considered practicable to adopt any of the suggestions which we have put forward, there is no method by which the boycott can be ended except by holding out until the existing Government of Canton either falls by disruption from within or is overthrown by some hostile Chinese General, In this connection I would refer you to my telegram of the 13th of January.
At present, therefore, the trade loan is our only weapon. Even at the risk of some eventual loss of money by the Government, it is necessary for the loan to be used generously, for the benefit of the merchants (both British and Chinese) in the Colony.
Sir J Jamieson and I are in close liaison, and there is free exchange of information between the Colony and Canton and between Canton and Peking There will no doubt be a similar exchange of information between the Colonial Office and Foreign Office.
The existing Government at Peking has no authority or influence over affairs in Kwangtung.
II.
Paraphrase Telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Dated February 8, 1926.
(Received Colonial Office, 9:20 A.M., February 6, 1926.)
I AM repeating this telegram to Peking and Canton.
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 of a telegram, dated the 2nd of 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 of 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 Kuang Tung would not constitute recognition of an Independent Government in Canton. We consider, however, that such hostilities in Kuang Tung are not at present to be recommended. In our opinion, the time has gone by for warlike action to be undertaken in Kuang
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Tung 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 of January.
CE
The
(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 rot regard as valid what they call the Inequal Treaties." Until they were expelled by British troops, pickets of the Canton strikers invaded and occupied a district near Shataukuk, in the New Terri- tories. 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. importation of food-stuffs has also been prevented. On the 16th of 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 (vide the 4th enclosure in the Governor's Confidential despatch (3) of the 21st of August) are still vigorously maintained. Chinese are prevented (at 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).
Tientsin 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 7 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 4 cruisers at his disposal) will undertake (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 6th of December and 19th of January and in my despatch of the 20th of January (Secret) and your telegram of the 30th of 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 Kuang Tung troubles without the use of force and without antagonising the Chinese.
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