expressed the opinion that there was not any great sympathy with the movement such as was shewn in the American Boycott, and that the merchants who had taken part in it had probably done so from motives of self-protection lest they should themselves be boycotted by Canton; they added that the Chinese here recognized that Japan is the ally of Great Britain.
The Vernacular Press, moreover, has done nothing to encourage the movement and has merely reported current events concerning it. On March 27th the notice, of which I attach a translation appeared.
The person referred to was not a Chinese official but a representative of a Cantonese Society called the Self-Government Society. I considered it advisable, however, to direct the Registrar General to warn the local Chinese papers against publishing anything which might incite to the boycott. He did so and on the 13th instant a paragraph of which I attach a translation appeared, since which date there has been practically no references to the matter.
3. In reply to the last paragraph of Your Excellency's letter, I have not been able to discover any foundation for the report that American and German Merchants are supporting the movement though they may be seizing the opportunity to push the sale of their own goods.
I have &c.,
(Signed)
F. D. Lugard,
Governor, &c.