CO129-500-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 29-7-1927 - 1-9-1927 — Page 67

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About forty pickets were posted at the wharf and these, by persuasion and force, prevented any embarkation of Chinese passengers. agents of the Companies applied to the Canton Police for assistance, but were given to under-

stand that the Cantonese authorities considered

the non re-engagement unjustified and would not interfere. It may also be mentioned with

reference to my remarks to Messrs. Hu and Wai on the vilification of Hong Kong by the Canton press, that the Companies' agents during their visit to the Police headquarters observed anti- British posters actually being prepared on the premises for use at the commemoration of the

Shameen incident on the 23rd June. Protest was,

moreover, made personally to General Li Chai-sum by Mr. Brenan, who found a very apt text in the scurrilous pamphlet issued by the Union, which was forwarded to you in my secret despatch of the 21st June. General Li was, however, ob-

viously disinclined for a trial of strength

with the Union at a moment which, being so near

the 23rd June, must be admitted to have been

inopportune. He did promise to "take measures" but Mr. Brenan was unable to feel any confidence

in the result. Local Chinese opinion, on the

other hand, views the matter as a temporary

ebullition which, having been given its way, will

die out from lack of support. The union is itself,

however, inviting an early test of its solidarity

and

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