Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 827

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

CANTON

819

I Hongkong, Shameen became, and for some four months remained, a fortified camp dependent entirely on itself for all essential services and on Hongkong by means of naval craft for all supplies. On July 1st a new Government, the "Nationalist Gov- ernment" formed on the Bolshevist system of Conimittees, entered office. The Political Council consisted of 16 leading members of the Kuomintang with Wang Ching-wei as Chairman. On August 20th Liao Chung-kai, Minister of Finance, was assassinated at the entrance of the Kuomintang Headquarters. Various suspects were arrested including Liang Hung-kai, an important Cantonese Commander and substantial rewards offered for the capture of Ngai Bong-ping, ex-Commissioner of Police and others. General Chen Chiung-ming again rose and capturing Swatow and Waichow, which were lightly defended commenced an advance towards Canton down the East River. He was, however, again crushed by General Chiang Kai-shek's superiority in foreign-trained troops early in November. During this month the sorely-tried residents of Shameen, after a twenty weeks' 'siege' began to find some relief in the gradual return of a few of their servants and a general improvement in feeling generally. No further incident had occurred and the bridges were partially opened and defence precautions somewhat relaxed. Negotiations were tentatively opened between Hongkong and Canton merchants aiming at an end of the strike- boycott and of a situation in which both sides were suffering but they proved abortive. The boycott was maintained, with the help of labour pickets until October 1926 when it was declared terminated by the Kuomintang Government. Although the suppres- sion of the pickets gave greater freedom to trade, business generally suffered throughout the year owing to constant labour disputes and the heavy burden of taxation imposed in order to provide financial support for the expedition which General Chiang Kai Shek led against the North. With the establishment of the Kuomintang headquarters at Wuchang the Yangtsze became the centre of political and military activity of the nationalists. Compared with 1925 and 1926 the year 1927 was comparatively peaceful and except for political tension and increasing taxation trade continued unhampered. General Li Tsai-hsin, who was in charge of affairs, was driven from office by General Chang Fat-fui in November, but the coup was effected in a day with comparatively little fighting and the change did not adversely influence the ordinary business routine. In December there was a rising of the Red elements. They captured the city and held it for a day, but were then driven out by the Government troops. The city for a short period was given over to wholesale looting, many lives were lost and millions of dollars worth of property destroyed.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 827

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