1925-08-26 — Page 4

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

THE BOLSHEVIK MENACE.

MASS MEETING AT THEATRE

ROYAL

STRONG ACTION URGED.

י

text and confine itself to impres sive statements of facts and such demands as are reasonably sat forth and possible of fulfilment. It is with this object in viow that, the suggested telegram, which has for some time appeared in the Press, that it might receive mataroj consideration by you all, has been most carefully drafted, and I trust that no material alteration to It will be called for.

Waking up at Last.

Втоне

In spite of all that has been The Theatre Royal was crowded to its utmost capacity last telegraphed, until a few days ago evoning when a mass meeting of Hongkong, residents was hold for I felt compelled to believe that the the purpose of urging, the Imperial Government to tako strong action Government at Home still consi- to deal with the interforence by the Canton authorities with the der that the Hongkong and South Treaty rights of the Powers. The utmost onthusiasm prevailed, and China troubles are all part of the the meeting passed a resolution urging the Home Government, to "China question," which deliver an ultimatum to the Canton Government.

after the "Shanghai incident" or are bound up with that incident and the "Young China Nationalist Movement", and can be settled by representations in Peking, confer- ences or some special envoy, but the recent shipping proclamations of the Canton authorities scem at last to be waking it up. (Hear hear.).

and 'others.

A

Does His Majesty's Government

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1925.

4: A

stion or restraint, at Canton, ed in acizing the reins of power Mr. Macgowan, an old and respect- contributed to by every one of us,

Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo and at Canton."

ed resident of Swatow, told how directly or indirectly, down to the Shanghai.

It may be added that such inter-that port, controlled by the Canton humblest coolie, and we cannot (II) Article V. of the Treaty of"vention will be hailed with the Government, could secure peace at longer endure what we rightly des- Nanking by which British greatest satisfaction by the op- intervals only, and by the payment cribe to the Prime Minister as "the Merchants are permitted; at pressed and terrorised people of during some years, of millions and present Intolerable strangulation all ports where they may Qonton.

millions of dollars. Had Swatow and boycott of the business of this reside "to carry on their Apart from the incontestable not so paid the town would have Colony." mercantile transactions right of British aubjects in this been looted, and the Chinese mer-i We have "carried on" here, all with whatever persons they Colony of every race to the pre-chants therefore preferred to pay, praise to our own men and women, please."

tection of the British Flag in de- Mr. Macgowan told of the in- and to those of other races who Artfèle X of the Treaty of, fence of the provisions of the tense hatred to-day of the British have so unselfishly and cheerfully Nanking authorising goods Treaties between Great Britain in Swatów, and that any Chinese filled our essential services includ- belonging to British Mer-and China, this Colony has by its caught speaking to a Briton "wasting police, volunteers and other chants to be conveyed by repented considerable defence con- severely punished. Any sampan duties. We feel we cannot suffi- Chinese Merchants to anytribution for the past 25 years | taking a Briton

burned.ciently thank every one of these province or City in the ecquired a right to the active sup- Swatow took all instructions from men and

"(Applause). Interior of China..

port of the British Government Canton; the root of the trouble But such services are the duty of

(III)

พคง

women.

(IV) Article XI of the Treaty of Such defence contributions amount was in Canton, and unless condl- the Government, and the Govern- Tientsin which also opened altogether during that period totions changed in Canton there could ment is paid by the taxpayers of Swatow and other Southern the sum of 49 million dollars, the be no improvement in Swatow. We Hongkong to perform these duties. Ports for Foreign trade and 1924 contribution.being the record can easily imagine the lot of our In return for our payment to Gov- stated that "it is agreed that amount of 41⁄2 million dollars, and women and children in the Treaty ernment of 4 millions yearly, we British subjects are permit-have naturally been considered by ports under these conditions; a require full protection of our lives ted to carry on trade with this Colony is an Insurance Fund mother refused a cup of milk or and property, and full protection whomsoever they please, for the protection of the rights even water for her sick and dying to trade with China in accordance and to proceed to and fro secured to British subjects by child. She and her child might with her treaties. ut pleasure with their ves-Treaties with China.

die for want of the bure neces- Immediate and Decisive Action. vels and merchandise."

Isaries of life.

Hongkong, with its millions of And this in the condition to contribution to the Home Govern-

Canton a Gateway,!

The meeting was presided over to quote that portion of his letter by the Hon. Mr. P. II. Holyoak, which refers intimately to this who was supported on the plat-pronunciation at the Canton Club: form by Sir Henry Pollock, Hon. I agree with Sir James Jamieson's Mr. II. Bird, Hon. Mr. C. G. objection to the Daily Press arti- Alabaster, K.C., Mr. A. Macgowan cle, and I should-like you to un- (Swatow), Mr. W. S. Bailey, Mr.derstand that I consider that at J. Owen Hughes, Mr. W. A. Dowley this present juncture Sir James

Jamieson has done everything any-- The Chairman, before proceed-body in that position could do. ing with the business for which and I should greatly regret any the meeting had been called, said: idea that there is a lack of cco I desire to straighten out an inci-peration between us. The trouble dent connected with our original is that neither of us can meeting. You will remember that do anything, because there at that original public meeting we is nothing that either of us can passed not only a resolution of do; the only people who can act confidence in Sir James Jamieson, are Iis Majesty's Government."to protect, or at any rate are pre- have, been in office for less than His Majesty's Consul General in Canton, but we paid him a high tribute After that he was criti- cised in the public Press. The triticism was undoubtedly largely

(Applause).

The Chairman's Speech. The Chairman, proceeding, said: Ladies and gentlemen, on the 27th July last, at a meel. ing held in this Theatre,

OK

to the same condition as Canton and work.

Thousands of our

The Ultimatum. Accordingly the residents of The observance of these provi- this Colony at a great Mass In-which the Canton authorities would ment for protection, has been built still utterly disbelieve the responsions of the Treaties is imperative dignation Meeting demand that the educe us. They would bring us up by British and allied enterprise ponsible statements made in the for the commercial prosperity of British Government deliver an stream of cables of the gravest this Colony, seeing that Canton is ultimatum at once to the Canton itself, and of Russia, which is in workers; the class which helped to a state of anarchy, brutal des- make these millions of contribution nature by the Governor of this the principal gateway for British Authorities.

potism, crime, proverty and utter are now, through the action of the Colony, and all the responsible trade," into South China.

misery.

Canton authorities, out of work The present Canton Authorities bodies already on the spot refer

here or are forcibly detained in red to, or do they seriously profess who are independent of the Cen-

Canton where they have lost or that they are unable any longer tral Government at Peking and

little

pared to abandon, the rights of 3 months are directly and solely British subjects secured to them responsible for the cutting off of by solemn treaties, and will they all steamship communication be- supinely submit to the latest in-tween Canton and Hongkong, both solent challenges to Great Britain direct and via Macao, and also for! of the present Canton Bolshevist the boycott in Canton and other' Authorities?

ports in South China as well as

due, if not entirely, to a misun- derstanding, and. I feel that it is due to His Majesty's Consul crowded that very many could not

I know well the difficulties they Swatow, Amoy and Foochow, of General in Canton that that situa-set In-imongst other things-His have to face in want of pranimity British subjects ships and goods.

They have also openly declared tion should be definitely cleared up. Majesty's Government was urged and help from other "Powers," as nt this meeting. (Applause). I may in a strongly worded and gravely well as the great industrial pro-their intention of destroying by say that before making this state-considered resolution that "It blems they have to deal with at every means in their power, Hong ment I submitted 1. because it should immediately inform the Ilome, but, upless" this Canton kong, its trade and prosperity. concerns the Government, to the de facto Government in Canton situation is tackled seriously and In 1924 the total shipping all Governor, and I have his Fonsert that unless it withdraws its sup, at once, not only will British inter- elasses entering and clearing, ta not only to make the statement but port of the attack upon British in-ests here and in South China be and from Hongkong was 70,630 his permission also to quote some terests, it will be regarded as hav- crippled for years to come, but the vessels totalling 57,000,000 tons. remarks In a letter concerning it. ing entered into a state of hostility Bolshevik poisonous, propaganda From 1st January to 30th June with the British Government”. will spread like fire, South through last the average daily number of

Straits Settlements, on vessels... entering and clearing: Almost a month has passed and the

A Newspaper Article.

A Policy of Frightfulness."

(A) To restore Canton as an Open Treaty Port for Trade between Chinese and the Foreign Treaty Powers ic full accordance with the The policy of Canton is fright-been robbed of all their "provisions of the Treaties fulness, terrorism. The authorities savings or capital, they and their between China and those there have applied these methods familles being destitute. As the Canton challenge to us nears its Powers.

to ruin Hongkong, but have so far

accomplishment, Britons-them (B) To expel all Bolsheviks failed, for Hongkong is not Russia selves and their allies must also be thrown out of employment here, and, obviously, unless we obtain

from Canton and the for China, and we are not Russians, We depend for success upon indus- Kwangtung Province. (C) To disarm and disband the so-called Whampao College Cadets who are in reality Russian trained troops, and send back to their native places those who are not

Cantonese.

try and absolute fairness, justice adequate help now from the naval and generosity in all our dealing and military forces--help for which and we have here a Government we have paid from the taxes of the not excelled in these respects by people, we can pay no 44 milliona. any other Government in the world or any other sam to the Govern- (Applause), and which has the,con-ment in taxation. (Applause).

and shall

And has the British Government

fidence of all under our flag, rich (D) To cease boycott of British and poor alike. (Applause). We

-Goods.

shall therefore defeat this wanton no obligation towards these work- people left. destitute and towards (E) To cense Anti-British attack upon our trade and liberties those who will be so left and shall

propaganda.

emerge stronger and brighter than ever, But at what we remain atill inactive while the Under Threat of

Canton challenge succeeds and our "Complete Naval Blockade by cost to us all!" "Britain of Canton and its And meantime, with the thou-good workers, so to speak, perish ?

Certainly not! . We and/or sands of able and intelligent shall not do so. cannot and for reasons which it is impossible through Burmah and into India, Hongkong has been 60 vessels

"neighbouring, waters "The Consul General in a recent to understand, that vitally impor- with the result that not only will averaging 90.000 tons. Since the "such other action Ад Is workers and merchants of all races address at the Club, referred to tunt telegram, which solemnly re- it be a tremendous conflagration crisis started the average daily

These people, and all non-British may who stand by us here, we cannot in the Colony, look to us and to our "Majesty's Government the leading article in the Hang- eited existing conditions here and for the nation to fight, but the number of vessels entering and

continue passively to endure this Government for strength and help "consider necessary." kong Daily Press of the 14th ins throughout South China Without industrial problems at Home and clearing Hongkong has been 311

The Ultimatum should also state boycott with its murders, robberies, to them in this crisis, and we must under the heading of Sir James one word of exaggeration, has apunemployment through lack of vessels totalling 55.819 tons only that ́a Chinese Administration and gross violation of treaty rights. not fail them. Jamieson, which you have doubt-parently been completely ignored export trade will be increased dis- but these figures include "P.&O." must be established at Canton (Applause).

Our Government must be urged

·less read. The Consul General by His Majesty's Government, astrously. Strong words, but "Blue Funnel" "President" and which will observe to the full ail We understand that many former

to prompt and vigorous action. said that was based on an in-There has been a little confusion cold facts, that must be faced Empress" vessels which are not existing Treaties between Chino telegrams have been sent, either Such action would, I think, be correct appreciation of the situa- about these telegrams. The "cons nevertheless, and I wish we could affected by the boycott.

and the Foreign Powers.

by our Governor to the Colonial tion. He explained that the Can-dential reply" referred to in my rouse the people of England to

Our Canton trade comprising It is the unanimous opinion of Office or by our Chamber of Com-supported by all Chinese and other non-British here of both the work- ton Government forwarded certain letter to the "Press", I should understand and realise. them. 'demands following the shooting here explain, was a confidential (Applause),

some 12 large Passenger vessels this Meeting that British inter-merce to the Foreign Office.

ing and merchant classes, and, as- We are also assured, and can stated in our proposed telegram. has been entirely stoppeil. Since vention is the only effective affray of June 23rd dast, and these

answer to one of the many tele

the 1st July the average daily method of restoring communica quite believe, that our local Cham-such intervention by us will be demands, which were forwarded to grams sent Home by the Chamber

number of ships including river tions and trade between Honkber of Commerce, and especially hailed with the greatest satisface London and Paris, were as follows: of Commerce. There has been no Once and for all let it again besteamers, held up through the boy-kong, Canton and South China and our Governor and our Chairman, tion by the oppressed and terrorised

answer whatever to the telegram clearly stated that no conference cott has been 78 of which 45 are of preventing the from the public meeting held on in Peking, or any number of them, the 27th of July."

no special commissioner or envoy,, To-night, with conditions infinite- however distinguished, and how-To-day there are 76 of which 32 ly worse than they were then and ever much he may help the North-are British,

1. High Commissioners of the

nations involved, to apologise

2. Adequate punishment of the

Cunsul General and the Senior Naval Officer.

war to come to Canton, ..

4. Withdrawal of warships from

Canton or delta, except. two

the Consulate.

5. Compensation for killed and

wounded.

Cancer Must Be Removed.

British.

the interior;

ernment.

Mr. Bailey's Speech,

we

Swatow's Voice.

economic have done all that possibly could| destruction of Hongkong and of be done. Indeed, I believe that the People of Canton."

We tell the Prime Minister that at this great mass indignation meet British interests in the Treaty labours of both have been unremit- Parts of Swatow, Amoy, Foochow ting in our behalf. (Applause).'

ing we demand immediate and de- and South China.

But they have apparently falled cisive action by the British Govern- 3. No further troops or men-of-with further declarations of openern problem, can possibly settle The recent proclamation by the

and we, the public of Hongkong,

ment. Demand," Sir, is a strong hostility against Great Britain by the present situation in Canton, Canton Authorities with regard to

are now asked to cable our case word, Bat, in our circumstances, the Canton authorities, we are which is not a Chinese problem coastal Navigation states that Mr. W. S. Bailey in seconding, direct to the Frime Ministry who I am entirely in accord with it. I met in even greater numbers, to at all, but a Bolshevik one and that Vessels of any Nationality, except said: Sir, Ladies, and Gentlemen, himself a business man, and with am in accord with the whole of the despatch boats for the use of endorse the opinions which have the attack upon Hongkong and British and Japanese, may enter For over two months have a strong majority Government, may telegram which I understand has leave the Port of Canton patiently endured our present situa- be expected to take prompt and been most carefully drafted and I poured Home from every respgu- British interests in South China and sible body--Government. Unofficial is Russian in its origin and that provided they omit Hongkong, tion, with confidence that, long ere strong action in this matter. members of both Councils, Cham- they are using their Chinese dupes which still further destroys British this, the

strong representations The telegram we are asked to glad to now second the resolu 6. Rendition of both Concessions her of Commerce backed by every to further their conspiracy against shipping interests. The procha-which, we understood, were from send is plain. It appeals to the ton. (Cheers).

to the Kwongtung Govern-large interest here, China Associn- Great Britain. There is a cancer mation is an Act of open hostility time to time cabled Home by our Prime Minister to have Treaties ment.

tion and private telegrams so in our midst which threatens the to Great Britain and flagrantly Governor and by our Chamber of carried out which are imperative Mr. A. Macgowan (Swatow) London and Paris replied to the that Is Majesty's Government Chinese as much as ourselves it and deliberately violates her Tres-Commerce would ensure speedy and for our commercial prosperity. It supported the resolution. He said: effect that these demands could cannot plead ignorance upon the must be ruthlessly cut out and the ties with China."

efficient action by the Home Gov-stresses the fact that the present Mr. Chairman, indies and gentle- not be considered. The new Cap-situation.

sooner the better. (Applause).'· "The effect of this Action of the

Canton Government, in office less men, I have been specially request- ton Government that assumed

Ladies and gentlemen, with the Canton Authorities has been" to When, in consequence of our mass than three months, and independented by the members of the British office on July 1st, repeated these The Gravity of the Situation.

hope that our telegram to the cause a complete stoppage of the public meeting. of the 27th July. of Peking, are solely responsible Chamber of Commerce in Swatów demands and stated that no resto. I confess I find it difficult to Prime Minister may assist him to Export of Silk from the Canton our telegram was sent to the For-for this boycott of British subjects, to represent them and to associate ration of normal relations and speak without voicing the indigna- realise the true, position in Hong- Deita through Hongkong and of eign Office by the Governor, we had ships, and goods, and that the Can- the British community in Swatow "conditions could be expected before tion we all feel at the procrastina- kong and South China and so lead the import of British Piecegood every reason to expect that at last ten Government have openly der with any resolutions sont to the

they had been discussed:

What ion, but I recognise that the to prompt and decisive action into. Canton and

our Home Government would stop clared their intention of destroy- Home Government by Hongkong. thea has the Consul General toituation is so grave that I desire either in consort with other thereby causing disastrous loases this boycott by Canton and so save ing by every means in their power. Article II of the Treaty of Tientsin discuss with the Canton Govera- to avoid saying one word which Powers or if needs be, by Great both to British and Chinese mer this Colony from possible rain. Hongkong, its trade and prosperity.which opened Swatow and other ment with a view to ending the may be regarded, at Home, as Britain alone, I beg to formally chants in this Colony and to the After our long waiting we are Their challenge le quite plain and Southern ports for foreign trade present situation. Is he to discuss hysterical or which may give op- move that the following telegram Export trade of Lancashire and

stated that "It is agreed that his own punishment or the ren-ponents, to prompt and direct ac- be sent from this meeting to His Yorkshire, which must result in told that no reply, and not even an grows daily more definite.

acknowledgement of our telegram The telegram gives a plain state- British subjects are permitted to dition of the British Concession?tion, in Canton, occasion to dis- Majesty's Prime Minister in Lon- further very considerable and in-of nearly a month ago, has been ment of shipping returns, which carry on trade with whomsoever On what possible basis could the count our advice or undervalue don.

creasing permanent unemploy received here. Even up to the pre-speak for themselves, and tells the they please and to proceed to and Home Government discuss these this meeting. No one who hns It will be seconded by Mr. W. S. ment in Great Britain.

sent nothing appears to have been Prime Minister of the recent pro fro at pleasure with their vessel demands? The mere fact of dis-been away from Hongkong and Bailey, and after that has been

No Question of War. done by the Home. Government for clamation by Canton excluding ali and merchandise," which is in- cussing them would be un ad-South China, even for the last six done I shall be glad to hear other.

The Canton-Hongkong problem is our relief, and we are here now, British vessels from that port, and separably bound up with all the mission that the incident of June months, could possibly conceivé speakers before putting the tele-

between Great 23rd was created by Shameen, how dangerous

the Bolshevik gram to the meeting. (Applause). entirely separate and distinct from Sir, to express our strongest indig-any other vessels from Canton if other treaties

that in any other part of China nation at such treatment from our they first call at Hongkong. This Britain and China and therefore which we know definitely to be threat is, with its special attacki

The Resolution.

owing to the fact that Canton does Home Government. (Applause).proclamation by Canton our telb embraces the Treaty of Nanking untrue.

o British Interests, and I wish

This Colony as a vital part of not recognise and is in rebellion Such treatment is outrageous and gram rightly describes as "an net which provides that British subjects that a few of my own personal friends who, until a very few years the British Empire, having already against the Central Government intolerable treatment, and, falling of open. hostility to Great Britain." with their familles and establish The Daily Press states that they ago, held the same responsible vainly appealed through a tele- at Peking, and that no Conferences relief' shortly" from the Home Goy-The Colony's Defence Contribution. monts shall be allowed to reside for We tell the Prime Minister of the the purpose of carrying on their know absolutely nothing about the positions out here as those who gram unanimously passed at a held at Peking on tariff or extra-ernment we must ourselves do what

pursuits-without measures that are being taken to to-day have drafted many of the Great Mass Meeting held on July territoriality or any other ques- we can in our own interests and in disastrous losses to British and mercantile ". bring the present deadlock to an important telegrams to which 27th and passed on by the Gover- tions can possibly assist this the Interests of those dependent Chinese merchants by this action molestation or restraint. Both

(Loud applause).

of the Canton authorities and that these treaties have been completely end and that as far as they are have already referred, were here nor at its request, tp His Majesty's Colony in the remotest degree in upon us.

by prompt action now by our Naval and absolutely violated not only in aware the Hongkong Government now to study the situation for Government,, now appeals to His its presont most serious and ur-

and Military Forces would speedily the spirit and letter but in the are equally in the dark. The Con- themselves, and they would quick-Majesty's Prime Minister to take gent need; and any delay in deal

practice of them, and my personal sul General informed us that ly realise how woefully, and dis- steps to have the following pre-ing in daily losses to this Colony I need not dilate upon what is relieve the situation.

increasing and ruinous common knowledge-the deliberate

We state the fact that in 25 experience has been that with the copies of all his despatches to astrously the "Canton situation" visions of the Treaties of Nanking of Peking and the Foreign Offee and the peril of Hongkong and 1842 and Tientsin 1858 between magnitude: moreover the British and heartless attempt to starve out years this Colony has remitted to present Bolshevist authorities in our trade the Home Government a defence power they may be considered out - have been forwarded to Hongkong South China are being misunder-Great Britain and China carried Government if it delaye "decisive Shameen, the ruin of

nction now will most certainly there and the unprovoked, organiz-contribution of 49 millions dollars, as scraps of paper which have been and the Hongkong Government stood in London to-day and give out, namely:

(I). Article II of the Treaty of have a far larger problem to face ed and murderous attack apon the 1924 contribution being 44 torn up and do not function. therefore know all that the Consul credence and ear to those, upon

Nanking which provides at Canton. In the future than that Shameen with its women and million dollars. These defence or General has written. As the Cón-the spot, who know and realise

Canton Government. Illegalg that British subjects, with confronting it at present. children by the Whampoa Cadets, military contributions by Hongkong aul General pointed out, there is the extreme gravity of the situa

their families and establish- There is no question whatever led by Russian officers. All this, are on the basis of 20% of the The illegal Bolshevist Govern- no possible basis for discussion tion. (Applause);"," here, and the next move rests with The telegram we send to-night. ments, shall be allowed to of making War on China but sim- and much more, was told us by an revenue of the Colony, and that ment of Canton has put Into force the Governments at Home." His therefore, whatever may be said reside for the purpose of ply of ousting the present vloere-witness, Mr. Hellstrom, the revenue, Sir, is derived from the a very effective embarga onu alt

carrying on their mercantile lently anti-British Bolshevik fac Swedish Coneul in Canton, at his taxes paid by our business men and Excellency the Governor in writing in speeches, should avoid any

pursuits, without molestation which has recently succeed-recent lecture. At the same lecture workmen to the Government, and (Continued on Page 5.); upon this letter has authorised me thing like violent language in the'

Daily Press Knew Nothing.

Starving Out Shumeen.

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