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handiwork of a small band of irresponsible agitators, and
which had not the sympathy or support of the authorities
and people of Canton.
I am still in ignorance of the motives which
prompted Mr. Law to make this yolte face, but I imagine
that he allowed himself to be permisded by the Chinese
dopartment of the firm and their Chinese clients in
Hongkong, who have all along urged the payment of monotary
compensation in order to shift the onus of responsibility
for the affair on the shoulders of the Portuguese Consul.
I have always been against a settlement of the
case on those lines, and I see no reason now to chingo
my opinion. My attitude in this matter has received
your approval and it had, until a few days ago, the
entire concurrence of Messrs Butterfield and Swire. The
Viceroy has, more than once, expressed his intention
of taking no further steps in the case, and I am con-
vinced that the people of Canton have long since ceased
to take any interest in the matter.
The