1925-11-25 — Page 5

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CANTON

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH, 1925

CONVERSATIONS.

CAN THE STRIKE AND BOYCOTT BE ENDED?

A HEART TO HEART TALK WITH DR. C. C. WU.

DIRECT

NEGOTIATION ADVOCATED.

(By OLIVER T. BREAKSPEAR.)

For over dve monthr Hongkung's permat life and trade have beeg upset. In June last, suddenly and without warning, the friendly relations between this Colony and Canton were severed, and since that date resi dents bere have been in a state of bewilderment, wondering in the first place why they should have been singled out for attack, and, secondly, whether the old, free and easy intercourse between themselves and their Naturally the air has been thick neighbours would ever be restored. with rumeurs Everyone has some sort of theory regarding the real origin of the strike and Boycott and there are many and varied specula- But no one, as far as I have tions concerning the probable outcome. heen able to judge-and I was here at the commencement of the trouble and have followed its development very closely-has hero able to give an intelligent dr logical exposition of the policy of the Canton Government. At what goal are they directing their effort? What is their ultimate desire ? The issues have become so involved; labour questions so inex- tricably mixed up with international pelities that no British subject, no foreigner in China to-day ran answer those questions, and yet they are questions which demand clear and convincing answers if we are to find a solution of the problemas which confront us.

Last week, therefore, in the hope of throwing a little Eght on the position I decided to appeal to the fountain head, to Dr. C. C. Wu, the well-known and British trained barrister-at-law who, as Mayor of Canton and a member of the Executive Committee of the Nationalist Government, is unquestionally a man of considerable power and influence in the Kuomintang Party. My letter to him was as follows:-"Dear Sir, It has been suggested more than once that the Hùngkong Daily Prens does not give a true picture of the political situation in Canton, and that it often misrepresents the aims and objects of the Kuomintang. Govern- ment.-tsenreely think such a charge can he substantiated. In any case I can assure you that my one desire, as a newspaper director, is to recordi nothing but facts for the information of our readers and to he absolutely impartial in any comments that may be made upon those facts-If we have made mistakes or published mis-statements it is solely due to unreliable sources of information. The trouble, however, is to obtain sources of information that may be regarded with absolute confidence, Casting round to find some way of overcoming this difficulty I have come to the conclusion that it would probably serve a useful purpose if I came to Canton and saw you personally. Would you grant me the favour of an interview and possibly introduce me to some of your colleagues in the Government? I should much appreciate the opportunity of making your acquaintance and of obtaining from you.. and other -Ministers an account of the true trend of affairs in Kwangtung. Naturally; I am writing solely in my capacity as Managing Director of the Hongkong Daily. Près. But I think you will agree that publicity on the right lines concerning the present relationship between Canton and Hongkong would be advantage- ous to both sides, and would probably have the effect of clearing up some We may not find ourselves of the misunderstandings which now exist. completely in accord on all questions of political" principle, but I can certainly guarantee, that the aspirations of the Canton Government will If you wou'd be good enough to be fairly represented in our columns. fix an appointment for any day, in the near future, when 'you could coavenieatly give me an hour or two of your valuable time, I would

Yours truly, etc." agrange to be in Canton to keep it.

H

I immediately received a courteous reply fixing an appointment for Sunday morning. This appointment was kept. I left Shameen by the British bridge an hour before the time arranged for the interview because I was uncertain where the Canten Municipality was situated and whether 1 might be delayed on my journey. But I had no trouble whatsoever. I walked along Shaki and some distance down the Bund until I came to a garage where I hired a car. On the way several ricksha pullers wished to secure me as a fare, but 1 refused their offers on the ground that their vehicles were scarcely suited to the importance of my errand.

Otherwise

no notice at ali was taken of me. Certainly there was no manifestation of dislike or animus on the part of the "crowds of people through whom I passed.

Arriving at the Municipality as the result of a five minutes drive, the chauffeur made me understand that he wanted 83.30. My tender of a 81" was scornfully refused, and then, feeling far from home, and being unduly impressed, perhaps, at the sight of the soldiers armed with carbines at the gates and by the many accounts of disorder and riot that had reached me, I weakly compromised with an offer of $2 which was accepted. From my experience of taxis this extortion can scarcely be regarded as a sign of abnormality, but is rather. I think, a proof that the City is returning to normal conditions.

Once inside the Municipal Building the soldiers were particularly friendly. They informed me by signs that no one was expected there until o'clock in the evening. They brought in a few friends and attendants to help explain matters to me hut we could not reach any common anderstanding, aral finally they left me to my own devices simply grizing at my foolishness in wasting time over what in their opinion was obviously a fruitless errand.

Fortunately, however, I had not long to wait. Within a quarter of an hour, at the sound of an approaching car there was a sharp exclamation. from the guards. They draw themselves up smartly to attention and a second later Dr. Wu himself appeared on the scene./

Then followed the talk on the political situation in Canton for which Dr. Wu was extremely pleasant. Now my trip had been undertaken. and again, it seemed that a hard and slightly bitter note, crept into his voice when he spoke of Canton's grievances, but he answered all my questions and some of them were pointed and, perhaps even 2 little personal-with frankness and without the Icast hesitation or doubt The discussion lasted in the office. from I until 1 Then an adjournment was made to a nearby restaurant and it was continued over the carcases of two excellently cooked pigeons and a few trißes of asparagus. From the restaurant we drove to the Headquarters of the Nationalist Government. I suggested to Dr. Wu that the

Government might like me to attend their meeting which was due at 3 o'clock, but he laughingly replied that it was simply a Committee meeting regarding the Arsenal and probably would not interest me. He, therefore, left to attend the meeting alone and instructed his chauffeur to drive me back to the British gate on Shameen where one can pass in and out freely. To enter or to leave Shameen by the French gate a pass from the French Consul is still required.

I will now endeavour to give my impression of the four hours conversation we had. Dr. Wu asked me whether I intended to use his name in connection with anything I might publish. I replied "Mest certainly. He had no objection, but expressed a desire not to be misrepresented and I promised not to put any words into his mouth. · Ify therefore, for the sake of clearness any questions and answers are given in the first person it must not be assumed that the words quoted are those actually spoken. I only profers to give what, in my opinion, is a fair representation of the trend of the argument.

A

THE CONFERENCE IN HONGKONG. To commence with Dr. Wa, gave ine an outline, of the form of Government adopted in, Canton, explaining the co operation between the Nationalist Gov ernment, the Provincial and Municipal Governments and the Kuomintang Party Committée. Then we traced the sequence of events which has led to the present unfortunate position. I will deal with these matters later. First of all I wish to place on record Dr. Wu's opinion of the conference between the Canton and Hongkong merchants held in Hongkong over the week-end. De "considered impossible for such & 'conference to achieve any practical result for the simple reason that the Canton Committee was unauthorised. I pointed out that in Hongkong, eat uny rate, there was a dis- tinet understanding that the Committee. had been elected and duly accredited by the principal Canton Commercial Guilds. This was not denied and I then asked if the Government would permit the Labour Unions to interfere with any arrangement made, supposing it proved that the merchants themselves wished to lift the boycott and recom mence trading. The answer, in effect. was that the merchants could not Gift the boycett except in agreement with the Unions because it would be of little use selling balck of goods if the labourers were not available to handle the goods. sold. The question of the intervention of the Government thus did not arise.

Was

Why, I then suggested, does the Com- mittee go to Hongkong Is their journey simply a waste of time It is largely i matter of courtesy, replied Dr. Wu. Several Hongkong delegates have been to Canton and it was thought that the visits should be returned. Moreover, I believe terms were drawn up some weeks ago and the Canton merchants wished to know whether there was any answer to those terms.' Several members of the Committee came to see me and asked if the Government would object to their Without any en- going to Hongkong. quiry into the purpose of the journey

GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE.

The Government have appointed the following committee to visit Canton:

Hoa. Sir Paul Chater. Hon. Mr. Chow Shou Son. Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, Mr. D. G. M. Bernard.

This committee comprises the Scalor member of the Executive Council, the two Chinese members of the Legislative Council and the Head of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co, Ltd.

As will be seen from the article by Mr. Breakspear on this page. Dr. Wu has stated that the trouble between Hongkong & Canton can be settled by direct negotiation and that Canton is prepared to appoint a Committee to meet duly authorised representatives from this Colony.

I

The Hongkong Committee has been named. We hope Canton will follow suit and that the two bodies will quickly clear away the existing mis- understandings.

I replied "No." Having made" the "Government's attitude clear, I naked what was the purpose of the visit, whe- ther it was solely a visit of courtesy. They replied that it was a visit of courtesy in the first place but at the same time it might be regarded as a little more than that. They then ex- plained that the Hongkong merchants had had time to consider the terms which had been forwarded and they hoped now -to get an answer to thein. But," add ed Dr. Wu, if you were to ask any of those Canton merchants whether they were authorised to negotiate" a settlement I certainly do not think they would tell you they were so authorised."

after negotiation with all foreign powers, Dr. Wu was inclined to agree with this vieir but repeated that, as far as his memory served, the terms which he had in mind did not include anything but local matters which it was competent for Hongkong to discuss. He realised, however, that in any case the local questions had to be entirely separated from the international questions and he was confident they could be so separated."

GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE,

From the foregoing I think it may be Tatry concluded that the strike, the boycott and the Government attitude are

interdependent. the strike ends, the boycott automatically ceases had thell

Government immediately becomes more, friendly disposed towards us as neigh. bours. The question then is which yields the most influence; which section must: take the initiative in reaching a settle ment-the strikers, the Canton commer. cial community or the Canton Govern ment. It is a purely personal opinion," but I am convinced that the Government have the fallest command of the situation.

Although oficially they may remain apart from the Labour Trions, which, have their own organisation and their own "Parliament." the Government, if they wished, could without great difficulty carry through any policy they agreed should be carried through, There is little doubt that what one may call the other parties to the dispate on the Canton side would come into line.

DIRECT NEGOTIATION. Does the Canton Government wish to end the trouble! 1 put this question quite frankly to Dr. Wu. We realise that the present position cannot be continued izdefinitely, he replied. We should like to see ended and I think it can be ended..

How?-By direct negotiation.

By that you mean That two bodies, one from Hongkong and one from Canton, properly authorised to effect a settlement, must come together. As I have already said you may rely upon it that any such Committee appointed in Canton would have full power to act.

What sort of a Committee would you consider. Hongkong should appoint!-- That is purely Hongkong's affair. We should not care whether it was a Com- mittee or one- delegate, although con- sidering the variety of questions to be discussed it would probably be advisable i to have more than one delegate.

There I will leave this aspect of the matter for the time being and turn to another part of our discussion.

STRIKE PICKETS

We believe in Hongkong rightly or wrongly, I said, that the strikers are being kept away from their work against their will.

How could we control such a huge body of men in such circumstances was the response. Our troops are away on the different fronts and we have compara tively few police in Canton, certainly not enough for such work as that

The strikers are unorganised and un- armed. Could not half a dozen men with rifles keep a big crowd of them in sub jection You are wrong in thinking that the strikers are unorganised. They are exceedingly well organised. They have a Central Committee which they regard as their Parliament. The members of that Committee are elected by the strikers themselves. That Committee appoints the strike pickets and decides questions of labour policy.

Supposing the Government to-morrow issued a proclamation announcing that all strikers could return to work, or fo- without fear of main as they are, molestation whichever course they de cided to adopt, what do you think would be the result? Don't you think most of them would rush back to their former employment?-I cannot say what would. But happen under those conditions.. such a Proclamation would not be suf- fcient. If the Government issued a statement that the strikers could return to work if they wished, but that all patriotic Chinese, all who desired to see some improvement in the relations be- tween their country and foreign nations would remain on strike, I do not think anything more than a negligible quantity would leave.

We have been informed that the strike, pickets are battening upon the

as the result of illegal exactions. Naturally they would be strongly opposed to a settlement which would deprive them of their lucrative employment?--I do not, suggest that all the strike pickets are angels and no doubt there are some who exceed their duty. When they are discovered they are dealt with.

Is it true that the Government dis armed a large number of strike pickets yesterday Yes. They were found to have been doing what they ought not to have done. Our action in the matter proves, I think, that we are not afraid. of the strike pickets as has sometimes | been suggested.

4

BTRIKE, FINANCES.

How can we in Hongkong judge whetrade of the country and are waxing fat ther a Committee comes with proper credentials and power to negotiate, retorted. If a committee from Canton states that it is authorised to effect a settlement you may rest assured that it has full power, was the answer. It would not make such a claim unless its creden tials were beyond dispute. The questions involved are political, commercial and labour questions, and it is, therefore. quite possible that the Committee would have to include Government and Labour as well as commercial representatives.

THE QUESTION OF TERMS. With reference to the terms mentioned. 1 remarked that the only terms I could recall were some drawn up by the strikers which were afterwards stated to be" unofficial. Moreover, I pointed out that they included questions which Hong kong with the best will in the world, could not discuss because they were entirely outside the Colony's jurisdiction. Dr. Wu said his recollection was rather different to mine, but as we had not, the terms before us at the moment we could not settle the point. However, I continued, if rapprochement had to depend entirely upon terms formulated by strikers it would never be schiaved because such torma, drawn up by men ignorant of international politics and the limitations of a Crown Colony, would not only contain extravagant labour demands but almost inevitably would include matters which could only be decided

Then I put a direct question regarding the present finances of the strikers.. am informed, I said, that the strikers have managed to collect the tidy sum of a million and a half dollars. Is that correct-Dr. Wu did not at first under- stand the query. You mean, he said, that they have collected a million and s half from all sources since the com- mencement of the strike?

No, I replied. They have at the mo ment a million and a half in their Treasury nice little nest egg for any one to raid Dr. Wu laughed heartily at the suggestion and a companion join- ed in his merriment. I only wish they had," his shid, we might get a loan from thein

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shutting our eyes to the fact that our CHINESE POINT OF VIEW.

former friends are suffering from an So far I have dealt with the strike and acute sense of grievance. It does not boycott as they exist, without entering help matters to insist that that grievance into the reasons why they were started, is of their own making. Our conviction and have discussed them, as factors in

the situation which can only be settled on this point should simply make us re-

double our efforts to clear it away. by negotiation on both sides. That is the Chinese point of view and it I will cadeavour to-morrow to give in to me essential that we broad outline the constitution of the seems should endeavour thoroughly to under. Canton Government and to show how the way various committees function and maintain stand it if we are to find a out of the present impaue and to clear contact with each other.

(To be Continued) Away misconceptions. It is, of no use