CO129-504-13 Chinese situation- request from General Li Chai-sum for assistance in obtaining arms and ammunition 27-4-1927 - 6-10-1927 — Page 66

(Copy Selow)

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Canton, and secondly, by the campaign

which he is now conducting against subver-

sive elements in the country districts.

The result of the improved conditions

now obtaining in Canton is shown in

the enclosed telegram, dated 4th May,

in which the Govr. of Hong Kong reports

that trade with Canton is now more or

less normal. In these circumstances,

it would be a serious misfortune to

Hong Kong and to British trade in

South China if General Li Chai-Sum

were to be prevented by lack of

munitions from maintaining his authority

in the Province. Sir C.Clementi

recommends, therefore, that subject to

a public declaration of his good inten-

tions, he should be given the assistance

for which he asks, and H.M.Consul General

at Canton is reported to concur in this

recommendation.

3.

Mr.Amery appreciates that the

Govr.'s proposal would appear at first

sight to imply a reversal of the policy

hitherto followed by H.M.G., in that

the