CO129-500-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 29-7-1927 - 1-9-1927 — Page 49

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which have contributed to this miserable humiliation,

I can only record my disgust at the result.

2.

T

One spot of humour lightens the situation.

The Canton Seamen's Union, in support of its picketing campaign, has distributed pamphlets lauding the speed and cheapness of railway travel as exemplified by the new express service over the Kowloon-Canton Railway. Whether the Union is aware that this service is only

rendered possible by Hong Kong's enterprise in adapt- ing and lending its "Imperialist" locomotives, I

cannot say.

But certainly the results are encourag- ing. From the 20th June, when this service was started, to the 5th July a total of 7,157 passengers has travelled up to and 9,250 down from Canton by these expresses, and the daily average of the British share of the takings is $370. The same balance of traffic in favour of the Colony is also maintained by the river and ocean going steamers. The total excess of arrivals by all routes over departures from the 21st February to the 26th June, 1927, is estimated

at 62,274.

3.

el dran acters

Nothing further has materialised from the visit of Messrs. Hu Chun-lin() and

hings characters

Wai Yuk(), reported in my last despatch. The communiqué has not made its appearance, and word has been sent through Sir Shouson Chow that Canton considers the situation"too delicate for such move at present". What this exact phrase indicates, I cannot say; but a report has reached me that the

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anti-communist expedition led by General Ts'in Tai- kwan has suffered a serious reverse from the

extremist