CO129-578-5 Development of Whampoa Port 13-12-1938 - 11-5-1939 — Page 46

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probably fantastic, he had subsequently changed his views

and had become a strong believer. While Mr. Goodrich's

opinions were probably biased by affection for this child

of his brain and by undue optimism as to Chinese ability to

carry out a plan, even when that plan is correctly schemed

and begun, foreign critics were probably unduly biased in the

other direction.

10.

At the same time, whatever may have been the opinion

of experts on the possibilities of the development of Whampoa

by the Chinese to an extent which might adversely affect the

port of Hongkong, I feel that the question should now be examined

in the light of the fact that any further development might well

be undertaken by the Japanese or under Japanese auspices. Pro-

vided the Japanese can supply sufficient funds (a question on

which I am not in a position to express any views) there seems

little reason to suppose that Whampoa could not be developed

as a port at least of sufficient dimensions to accommodate

Japanese shipping without the necessity for such shipping

calling at or trans-shipping cargo at Hongkong. I do not consider

that there is now any question of the development of Whampoa to

the extent envisaged in the former Chinese plans, nor do I think

that, from a Japanese point of view, any such extensive develop-

ment would be necessary for their purposes. It seems to me that,

provided they can develop Whampoa sufficiently to accommodate

merchant ships up to a tonnage of say 10,000 tons, they will then

be in a position to divert the great bulk of the carrying trade

of South China from Hongkong to Canton, and I feel that it is

this point which should now be seriously considered.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

(Sgd.) A.P. Blunt.

CONSUL-GENERAL