CO129-512-2 Political situation in China- and Canton 31-5-1929 - 13-11-1929 — Page 35

- 6-

33

observed.

It is not unlikely that this show of

vigilance had its effect; in any case August 1st

passed without incident until late in the evening,

when a number of persons appeared outside the

Sincere Company's store in Des Voeux Road Central,

scattered a quantity of leaflets broadcast, and took

to their heels, pursued by the police who arrested

five persons.

In all eight men were detained, three

others having been discovered in possession of

leaflets for distribution.

incident.

There was no further

8. This fiasco would seem to justify the

belief that the Communist movement in Hong Kong has

for the moment little significance. With the

exception of the 'Red Guards', who are professional

Triad bullies recruited from members of Trade and other

criminal societies, and who are as ready to do

murder for one cause as for another, the members of

the organization belong almost entirely to the Young

Communist party.

Many are boys and girls of from

sixteen to twenty years of age. The total membership

has been put at less than a thousand; but it is

doubtful whether full details are known even to

members of the party. The officers are said to be

suspicious of one another and to move from house to

house in an attempt to keep their whereabouts unknown

even to their own confederates. The place of meeting

is kept secret until the last moment for fear of

treachery.

9.

•