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Self-Government Society are known to be in the neighbourhood of the Colony, endeavouring to organize anti-Portuguese Societies and demoustrations,
Mr. Kao Erh Ch'ien, the Chinese Representative on the Boundary Commission, is due in Canton to-morrow.
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communities of all the other ports both in and out of China. This was evidence of the rapid progress made by the people. Rewards should be given as an encourage. ment. (It was decided to give rewards, as occasion offered, to those who distinguished themselves in starting native manufactures.)
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HARRY II. FOX,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Extract from the "Kwo Shih Puo of March 9, 1909.
Report of a Meeting of the Self-Government Society respecting the "Tutsu Maru" Case.
ON the 8th March a mass meeting of the Self-Government Society was held to discuss the "Tatsu Maru " case, and was very largely attended. The Kung Tu and Ku Tu districts in Heungshan sent Chao Hsiang Ping, Yang Jang Ju, and Liao Pi Ch'en as representatives to attend the meeting. They said that the people of their districts had held a meeting, and, hearing of the meeting in Canton, had sent them as representatives. They produced a map of Macao and a copy of the Viceroy's Memorial. At the next meeting the people of their district, they said, would elect further representatives to come to Canton and discuss the procedure to be adopted. It was essential that all their countrymen should work cordially together and achieve their object.
Speeches were subsequently made by about a dozen persons, including Hu Hsin Teng, Chan Sung Yun, and Chien Ching Hsü, all condemning the injury to the nation caused by Yuan Shih Kai, and emphasizing the importance of retaining jurisdiction over their land and its waters. Not a foot of which should be surrendered. The applause shook the entire building.
The bell announcing the opening of the meeting rang at 2:30. The chairman was Li Kai Hi, and the speaker Lo Shao Ao. The following is an account of what passed;---
1. A map of Macao was produced by the representatives of the districts of Kung Ta and Ku Tu, in Heungshan.
2. It was mentioned that that day was the anniversary of the "Tatsu Maru incident, when China fired a salute of twenty-one guns in acknowledgment of her fault, and purchased the arms as compensation. The country was robbed of its sovereign rights and suffered a national disgrace. Yuan Shih Kai, whose foreign policy had failed, had been the culprit. An Edict had now been issued appointing Kao Erh Chien as Commissioner for the delimitation of the boundaries of Macao. In the original lease by Portugal of Macao the land boundary was formed by a wall. The sea, which was the boundary on the other side, belonged to China. This was now being encroached upon. The spot where last year the arms smuggled by the "Tatsu Maru 23
were seized was situated at Ta Sha Li, at the western entrance of the Pearl River. These waters, the inland waters of China, were wrongfully claimed by the Japanese as being the "high seas." The claim of Portugal that they were Portuguese waters was still more groundless. This was well known to be the case, and yet Yuan Shih Kai, it is sad to say, deliberately betrayed his country and brought disgrace on China. It was now more than ever incumbent on all patriots to consider all ways and means to protect China's sovereign rights, and a discussion was invited. (It was decided to send representatives to the spot to investigate carefully and thoroughly.)
3. The object of a Constitution was that the officials and people should share the responsibility of all important measures. The delimitation Commissioner, Kao Erh Chifen, was thoroughly conversant with foreign affairs, and up to the present had never been guilty of a mistake. He had already arrived in Canton, and, as the matter was of great importance, every one should interest themselves and take a share in the investigation. In this way dilatory official methods would be hastened. (Unanimously agreed to.)
4. Rule 5 of the Self-Government Society, approved by the Throne, stated that the Society had the duty of fostering trade and native industries. During the past few years they had inaugurated new industries with the cordial assistance of the
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Extract from the "Hong Kong Telegraph" of March 15, 1909.
JPANESE BOYCOTT REVIVED.
A TELEGRAM has been received by the Canton Press Society for transmission to the Canton Self-Government Society from the Chinese residents in Singapore, to the effect that the branch office there of Wong Cheung Wah, a well-known medicine oil dealer (whose "Yu Yee" oil is particularly well known) has acted in violation of the Japanese boycott regulations, so that they have now suspended business with the said firm. In the message the Self-Government Society was asked to punish the proprietors of the firm in question, who are in Canton.
Canton, March 13, 1909.
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