CO129-498-5 Canton boycott- report on visit to Canton of representatives of the Hong Kong Chinese merchants... 6-1-1926 - 6-1-1926 — Page 55

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14.

and thoroforo undor Imperialistic rule. Tho striko

in its beginning was perfectly poccoful but two days

lator the Hongkong Government promulgated mosuros which for their sovority wore unparallodod in any

civilised country. They attem ted to cut off tho

food supply of the people of Kwong Tung and so to

starve thom just as England had dono against Gormany Up to now there had never been a singlo oxprossion

of regrot by the Hongkong Government or by the

British as to the donth of the Chinoso at Shanghai,

Shamoon and clsovhoro. Tho Hongkong Govornmont could not possibly ropudiato rosponsibility. Thoy

voro at first determined not to ond the strike and

boycott until all International questions such as thoso concerning Shanghai, Shamoon, Tariff Autonomy

had boon settled. They know of the tremendous lossen

of the Chinese merchants in Hongkong and for this ronson and for this reason only they oro gonuincly dosirous of an oarly settlement. But it was obvious

that discussion could only be carried on by dologhtLA for Hongkong appointed by the Hongkong Government and vested with full authority. Four delegatos had boon appointed by the Hongkong Government and now sight delegates had been appointed by the Hongkong merchants. They did not understand the scope of our

authority and they would like us to cnlighton thom.

Mr. Li Yau Chuon shortly oxplained as regards our

authority and as to undor what circumstances the four

dologatos wore appointed by the Hongkong Government in

torms more or less stated earlier, As Mr. Li's romarks

were not audible to the poplo sitting at the end of

the table, I repeated Mr. Li's rom.rks for their bonofit

with some supplomontary romarks. Then a member of the

Labourers' Union spoko at longth to the offcct:-