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of whose connection with the Roycott there was evidence,
apart from the question as to whether or not they had in
any way been concerned with the Riots &c. Those measures
were of so drastic a nature that they at one time seemed to
imperil British Trade. They were eagerly exploited by the
Boycott Societies of Canton who had cleverly designed to
shift the scene of their operations to this Colony where
they were less liable to reprisals from Japan.
4.
I was prompted to this action, not
merely in order to prevent a repetition of the Riots and
outrages, not from a motive of friendship towards the ally
of Great Britain (though of course both these objects had
great weight) but primarily because I considered that the
powerful Self-Government Society of Canton (the "Jichi"
Society referred to by the Japanese Chargé d'Affaires) had
by its action in organising the Riot here made a bold bid
for the domination of this Colony, which if it passed un-
challenged might have far-reaching and disastrous consequences. Its immediate effect was what its promoters
anticipated. The Chinese Merchants and Traders of this
Colony who had become tired of the Boycott and wished to
end it, were at once brought to heel, and the circulars
disseminated through the Colony threatening to cut off the
ears