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trade. They therefore decided to give a month's notice of the boycott, in order to allow merchants to get rid of their stocks of Japanese goods.
3. A few days later the Notice of which (A) is a translation was placed in the doors of many shops in Chinatown in the early morning, and a few days after that Notice (B) was circulated by coolies whom nobody knew.
4. As to the probability of an effective boycott, Kam Yun Cho, of "Kwong Wo Heng," High Street, the largest importer of Japanese matches, and a large dealer in most classes of Japanese goods, informs me that he has no fears. He is a Cantonese himself, and in face of an effective boycott would have to temporarily close his shop. He does not, however, believe that anything will happen to inconvenience him.
5. This boycott has taken no hold of our coolie classes as did the American boycott. The bulk of the Chinese here who know anything about it regard it as part of a private quarrel between the Japanese and the Cantonese in which they themselves have little concern.
6. Mr. Darbishire, of Paterson Simons, who are the local agents for the Japanese line, informs me that that line does not at any time carry much Chinese cargo. He adds that in his opinion every one is too hard-up to refuse business from sentimental or patriotic motives.
7. In my opinion the best policy that the Government can adopt in the matter is to do nothing. Left to itself the boycott will, I believe, never come to a head, and the less it is talked about and the more it is ignored, the more certainly will this desired result ensue.
(Signed)
; gap, May 22, 1908.
WARREN D. BARNES,
Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
(A.)
Universal Observance of the Boycott.
(The literal translation is "Combined resistance with civilized and enlightened
means.")
THE country of
relies on her powerfulness, and has committed an injustice. All the other countries are not satisfied with her action. The causes which aroused our feelings have been published in the newspapers in Canton and Hong Kong, and it is not necessary to give the details here. The Chinese merchants in Hong Kong bave formulated five boycott rules [literally, retaliation by civilized and enlightened means]. It can be said that the rules have met with our desire. The merchants residing in Singapore unanimously share their feelings. We mutually agree to abide by the following four clauses, and clause 3 will be carried into effect in the case of any one who disobeys :--
Clause 1. From the 3rd June, 1908-
1. Do not buy or sell the goods of the country of
2. Do not send cargo by the steamers of the country of
3. Do not buy bank drafts from banks of the country of
4. Do not insure in the Companies of the country of
5. Do not take passages on steamers of the country of
The above five rules must be observed when the time comes.
Clause 2. It is hereby agreed that those who have already bought, or who have in stock, goods from the country of
should make arrangements to clear them
off beforehand, as from the 3rd June they must cease buying and selling the goods of the country of
Clause 3. The punishment meted out for non-observance of the five rules----- we Chinese should observe them: If there is any one who is callous to his own interest, or who is void of shame, or who wilfully disobeys, he will be, after due inquiry, notified publicly to the Chinese, who will thereat have no dealings with him. Further, letters will be sent to Hong Kong, Canton, Swatow, Amoy, &e., asking the people there to hang up in the public the name of his shop, the name of the proprietor, manager,
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accountant, &c., as a deterrent to those who, on account of their self-interests, have lost their shame.
Clause 4. It is of paramount importance that the boycott movement should be preserved to the end. Should there be any universal desire to call off the boycott, the Chinese in Singapore should meet together and signify their approval. With regard to the details of the boycott, they can be settled by votes at meetings to be held.
Issued by the Chinese residents of Singapore.
[Translator's note: Throughout the Notice the word "boycott" is not used, but the word "retaliation" is employed in its stead.]
The following are the goods of Japanese manufacture :~
reforms in our trade.
(We should encourage the industries of our own country. We should make some We should borrow the system trom Japan. We should adopt the improved methods of other countries in lieu of our bad ones. We give here some of the products of that country.)
Provisions: Such as cuttle-fish, sea-slug, &c.
Wearing materials: Cloth of Tai Hi trade-mark, towels, &c.
Glassware: Mirrors, tumblers, &c.
Skinware Carpet bags, umbrellas, &c.
School books: Maps, pencils, &c.
Coal: Mikilum coal, &c.
Matches Dragon brand, &c.
Year before last it was found that there were-
Five thousand three hundred and four spinning factories, employing 302,723 hands. Ninety-five coal mines, employing 8,882 coolies.
Match factories employing 24,529 hands,
Exports of yarn: To China, 32,000,000 dollars; to Hong Kong, 830,000 dollars;
to Manila, 110,000 dollars.
Exports of towels: To China, 1,100,000 dollars; to Hong Kong, 320,000 dollars; to the Straits, 100,000 dollars.
Exports of matches: Total, 10,000,000 dollars. 8,000,000 dollars.
To China and Hong Kong,
Exports of porcelain and lacquer wares: To China, 900,000 dollars. Exports of cigarettes: To China, 1,700,000 dollars; to Hong Kong, 80,000 dollars.
Exports of seaweeds: To China, 1,700,000 dollars; to Hong Kong, 35,000 dollars. Exports of dried mushrooms: To China and Hong Kong, 1,000,000 dollars. Exports of coal: To China, 9,500,000.
Exports of marine products: Unknown.
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