73
Hongkong
strikors and of the Canton Government, which
was losing money owing owing to tho striko. On the
amount of compensation which had formed the subject of an
carlier conversation ho expressed the view that the settl
mont would bring about a great prospority to both places becauso Hongkong would bonofit by the fact that
the whole of Kwong Tung was now united and the trado
would not bo moroly the trade of Canton and the surround-
ing districts but the whole of Kwong Tung. He said Mr.
Flotchor admitted this.
On the 31st Mr. Li Yau Chuon and myself wont to sol
Mr. T.V.Sanng at his house at 9 a.m. and discussed the
mattor till 10 a.m. Mr. Soong was very much more sym-
pathetic and stated ho would gladly assist where his
assistance could fairly be given. Ho said he received a
personal lottor from Mr. Fletcher who oxprossed the
hope that the matter would be settled before Mr. Fletch.v
loft the Colony now that all difficulties had boon
11
romovod". But Mr. Soong could not understand what
Mr. Fletcher mocnt because the difficulties still
oxisted and woro groat. Ho said he had made it very clear to Mr. Flotcher that it was not the opinion of the Cunto
Government that tho mattor could be settled by somo
payment in licu of reinstatement and striko-pay although
it was grood if the commercial torms had boon settlod
the Canton Government would do its bost as rogards
nogotiating the other terms.
I have known Mr. Soong for a fou yours; he was
oxtromoly friendly and struck mo as being genuinely
desirous of an oarly settlement.
At 10 .m. we wont to call on Mr. Wong Ching ai
who was out but who instructed the Canton Govornment's
secretary to recoivo us. Nothing of importance took
place oxcopt that the Socrotary expressed the pleasure i
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.