{ [This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[15122]
No. 1.
16 JUL 08)
[May 2.]
SECTION 7.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 2.)
(No. 90.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
BOYCOTT of Japanese goods.
I have received your telegram No. 71 of yesterday's date.
Peking, May 2, 1908.
I am of opinion that, with Chinese public feeling in its present state, any active intervention on our part might eventually react to the detriment of our own trade.
I would suggest that it would be a friendly act on our part towards the Japanese, if the Consul were instructed to point out to the Viceroy the desirability, on general grounds, that the boycott should be discontinued. His representations should, how- ever, not savour of interference; and he might, to prove our disinterestedness, point out that the boycott is an actual benefit, though perhaps only a temporary one, to British trade.
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