CO129-526-4 Deportation of Chinese political refugees from Hong Kong 9-12-1929 - 11-6-1930 — Page 14

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was now in Hongkong. I said that according to my latest information I understood that Wang Ch'ing-wei was at Haiphong. He said that Wang Ch'ing-wei had made his way secretly to Hongkong, and that there was o doubt of the fact. He did not pursue the subject. No more did I, lest he should make some request for the expulsion of his enemy.

2. I do not propose to report this assertion of General Chan's to the Governor of Hongkong unless I should be asked to do so by the Kwangtung Provincial Government, lest I should embarrass him.

I may add that the French Commissioner of Customs had previously told me confidentially that the French Consul knew the address of Wang Ch'ing-wei at Hongkong.

If so

I have no doubt that it is known to the French Consul- General at Hongkong and to the Hongkong Police.

3. This incident illustrates the difficulties

for this Consulate arising out of the asylum afforded at Hongkong to outlaw leaders conducting plots and wars against the Central Government authorities in

Kwangtung. Throughout the past summer and autumn

this question has caused much friction and at times

has seriously endangered relations between Canton and

Hongkong. It has also caused me much anxiety lost it should react unfavourably on Sino-British relations in politics and commerce. Had it not been for this

thorny question the relations of this Consulate with the Provincial authorities during the past year might in retrospect he considered fairly satisfactory. But, as things actually are, I am afraid that the present Canton Government regards the Hongkong Government as

definitely