CO129-499-5 Canton situation- governor's despatches 11-3-1927 - 11-3-1927 — Page 121

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Chinese violence and illegality, or against the tyranny

7.

of the Bolshevized Seamen's Union. A defeatist spirit

had been engendered in them which I found it impossible

to remove. I deplore this decision more than I can say.

It indicates not so much a complete failure to appreciate

the fact that this Union has been one of the chief

weapons of the Chinese Communist Party in its campaign

for the destruction of British rights in China, but a

feeling of helplessness and a despair of any support

from His Majesty's Government. Moreover, I cannot help

feeling that the decision has been influenced by the

parsimonious treatment accorded to the Steamboat Company

by His Majesty's Government in respect of their service during the period of the boycott:

t: (see my confidential despatch of the 16th March, 1927).

9. Today I have received a telegram from Mr.

Brenan to the effect that he saw General Li Chai-sum

yesterday and that General Li then said that, as the

seamen's strike was against the Canton Government, he

would protect the strike-breaking crew sent from Hong

Kong and would stop picketing. In view of this message I have asked Mr. Hallifax once more to urge upon the Directors of the Steamboat Company the expediency of

manning the s.s. "Kinshan", when she comes out of dock

with a crew aupplied by the "Hong Hoi" Seamen Union

instead of reinstating the Canton Seamen's Union crew:

but I have little hope of success.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

ļ

Governor, &c. D

is