Enclosure 2.
200
views in the form of a Memorandum of which I enclose a copy.
4. Mr. Law states that he would not have adopted the course he has pursued "if he had received the requisite support from the British Government". As I informed you in my former Despatch, so far as the Government of Hongkong is concerned, neither was my advice or support asked for nor was I even informed of these matters - of which I had heard only accidentally prior to the interview I held with Mr. Law at my own request and initiative. Since that date I have heard nothing further until the receipt of the enclosed letter written in reply to my enquiries. The "requisite support" which Mr. Law demanded was that the British Government should guarantee to indemnify the Firm for all losses which he estimated at hundreds of thousands of pounds - if they defied the threats of a Boycott. Such a guarantee was manifestly impossible.
Should opportunity occur, I shall not fail to allude to the matter when the new Viceroy arrives, and to endeavour to get him to control the action of the Self-Government Society.
5. The surrender of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire cannot, I fear, do otherwise than strengthen the