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reconcile this claim with treatment such as that meted out
to Low Peng Kiah? Do you not realise the seriousness of
the effect on public opinion and on the views of my
Government when cases such as this are brought to light?
I have protested on previous occasions against the
injustice to which Low Peng Kiah has been subjected, and I
now protest with all possible emphasis against this latest
outrage against him on the part of the Opium Suppression
Bureau. In the interests of common justice and of the
friendly relations between our two countries, I demand that
the money of which Low has been robbed be returned to him at
once, that all concerned in the robbery be condignly punished
and that the persecution which is being conducted against Low
shall cease for good and all. If these legitimate demands
are not complied with, it will be clear that open extortion
is condoned by the Government and that the principles of
justice are of no account in Swatow.
I am now reporting this case to His Majesty's
Government and to His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and I
trust that your action will be such as to enable me shortly
to report further that justice has been done.
I have etc.,
(Sgd.) Cecil Kirke.
H. M. Consul.
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