767
C.O.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governme1968
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36113]
No. 1.
iREC
REGE 25 OCT 09
[September 23.]
SECTION 1.
Question asked in the House of Commons, September 23, 1909.
Mr. Bellairs,--To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Shanghae taotai, under pressure from the Japanese Government, has issued a proclamation threatening the ringleaders of the anti-Japanese boycott with punishment; and, if so, whether he will state what steps he has taken to bring to an end the anti-British boycott on the Yang-tsze which was initiated by the Kiukiang native chamber of commerce and other chambers issuing warnings against the use of British steamers.
Answer.
I have no information in regard to the first part of the question. In regard to the second part, as stated in my reply to the honourable member for North Westmeath, no information has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and a report will be called for in due course. There is no foundation, however, for an assumption that British trade in such circumstances suffers more than Japanese owing to want of support. It has suffered less from boycott in recent years than either American or Japanese trade.
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