CO129-499-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 12-2-1927 - 10-3-1927 — Page 91

-

- 3

3

91

Enclo.No. 3.

Enclo. No

Lident

augutly

NIL

Not painted.

て

38

of knowledge and vague promises to prevent recurrence,

ing

the local Chinese authorities know full well that any

the

action running in/least counter to the tide of communism will involve them in personal danger. An extract from An extract from

the District Officer's report on this incident is enclosed.

I attach also copy of a report by the Assistant Superin- tendent of Police (New Territories) dated the 9th February,

concerning the dangerous situation now existing on the

British frontier at Shataukok, which our Chinese detectives

are afraid to visit. I am taking steps to restore con- fidence among our people in this locality.

3.

In effect the position on the frontier, at

Canton, at Hankow and wherever the Nationalists are in

control is the same. It is most clearly put in a letter written from Nanking on the 27th January by Sir F.Aglen, the Inspector-General of Customs, to Colonel Hayley Bell and shewn to me by the latter. Sir Francis Aglen writes as follows regarding the Chinese Soviet at Hankow:-

That they want first is recognition expressed by signature with them of an international instru- hent implying that they are the Government of China. "Then they want all concessions cancelled, but would "perhaps agree to British representation under

Chinese direction. They are prepared to negotiate "about extraterritoriality of persons as even they

are not so blind as not to see that in present cir- 'cumstances Great Britain will not throw her people "to the wolves. They don't want to interfere with the Customs for fear of my bond-holders. Eugene "Ch'on admitted this; but, if the Customs show "partiality for example collect Surtax for the

forth - they will "Smash the Customs" (à la Eugene

13

Ch'ên).