CO129-499-2 Canton situation- governor's despatches 15-1-1927 - 4-2-1927 — Page 28

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of the people, who were all eager and ready to fight to the

death, with the British marines. A Provisional Joint

Conference of the Central Committee and the Government

Committee was at once convened, and it was resolved that

steps should be taken within 24 hours to settle the matter.

Two of the members of the Committees, Tsui Him and Tseung

Tso Pen notified the public to this effect, who having

great confidence in the Goverment, dispersed and waited in

patience for the settlement. In the morning of the 4th the

Peasants, Workmen and Merchants held an urgent meeting and

presented 8 demands to the Joint Conference:

(1) A strong protest to the British Consul -General.

(2) Compensation for the wounded.

(3) The British Government to make an apology to us.

(4) The British murderers to be handed over to us

for punishment.

5) To have the British gun-boats and marines at

Hankow and all sand bags and electrified barbed

wire removed.

(6) The British volunteers and Police to be disarmed.

(7) Complete freedom for the Chinese populace to

meet, make speeches and parade in the British

Concession.

(8) The Goverment to send troops and Police to take

over the administration of the Concession.

The Central Joint Conference accepted all the

demands of the people, and resolved forthwith to instruct

the City Garrison Commissioner to station trained and reliable troops to protect all the prinicipal roads in the British Concession and along the River to occupy the British Police Headquarters. Chan Kwan was also sent as representative of the Kuomintang. As a result of the protest made by the Foreign Minister Chen in the morning of the 4th the British marines on lend were all withdrawn to the gun-boats and all

sand