CO129-498-8 Canton situation- speeches made by members of the Canton Government- and visit of the Fraternity... 13-1-1926 - 13-1-1926 — Page 4

so to use the opportunity. The circumstances,however, made it impossible for me to take any active steps in the matter, as the movement was ostensibly one initiated by merchants of the Colony with a view to the restoration of fraternal relations with Canton,

and was in no way due to Government suggestion or dependent on Government assistance.

5. In this connection it is not without

importance to note that the party ultimately comprised 280 members: of whom it appears on enquiry that more than 50% were of the accountant class only, and that only a very few of the

remainder could be called in any sense responsible

merchants.

6.

Further it is confidently reported

that some 75% of the whole number were enrolled during

the visit to Canton as members of the Kwok Man Tong.

The circumstances imply an adherence to the principles

of that party as enunciated by its "Left Wing"

the present Government of Canton: and it is necessary

in this connection to draw a careful distinction.

The Kwok Man Tong, broadly taken, is a true Republican

Party, and as holding the field in China,practically

alone, should be considered not without respect. In

a settled China it will probably continue either

as the Government or as a recognised opposition:

but in the meantime its own final form remains to

be settled, and it naturally constitutes for the

time a weapon ready to the hand of unscrupulous

politicians of any colour,

fraternity

7. The whole party has now returned:

and immediately a rumour gained ground that an

attempt was to be made to induce the merchants

of the Colony itself to participate in the boycott

and