Extract from the "Hongkong Daily Press" of 19th June, 1909.
352
The following is a translation of a Proclamation issued by His Excellency Viceroy Chang of the 15th instant, when information reached him that the Self-Government Society intended to hold a meeting on the 16th instant:--
"This Proclamation is issued to inform the public that the establishment of commercial intercourse between the Chinese and the foreigners is for the convenience and mutual benefit of both people. The British firm of Butterfield and Swire has established regular steamship services at the various Treaty Ports in China for the conveyance of goods and passengers for a number of years and have been trading all along peacefully with the Chinese. Last year, on account of an action brought against one Noronha (who was employed on board the S.S. Fatshan) for kicking a Chinaman to death, public feeling was considerably inflamed, and the people began to have suspicions and avoided travelling by that steamer. With regard to the above matter, strict exhortations were issued to the people to desist from creating trouble, and they were also requested to ship goods and travel by the steamer in the ordinary way, after which things went on peacefully. Fearing that there might be some people who are desirous of creating trouble on the pretext of the Fatshan incident, I have purposely issued this proclamation for the information of the public. You are all aware that the firm of Butterfield and Swire has hitherto been carrying on business in China upon very friendly terms, with a spirit of justice and firmness, and the Chinese people have been very grateful to them for what they have done. A University is about to be established in Hongkong for the convenience of educating the Chinese people, to which the firm of Butterfield and Swire alone gave a donation of over $400,000. Moreover, I have heard that the firm has given instructions to their employees to pay special attention to the comfort of the passengers and have engaged more people on board their steamers to attend to the passengers. With regard to Noronha's case, the man is a Portuguese subject and his case should be tried at the Portuguese Court. The British Government have no power to try the case.
I command you all not to drag the firm of Butterfield and Swire into Noronha's case and by this proclamation I command you to continue to travel and ship goods by that steamer. I command the people to take notice of and abstain from disobeying this proclamation."
C.O. 24976
RECE REGP 26 JUL 09
30079
LAUG 10 1950
D
Extract from the "Hongkong Daily Press" of
19th. June, 1909.
352
The following is a translation of a Proclama- tion issued by His Excellency Viceroy Chang of the 15th instant, when information reached him that the Self-Government Society intended to hold a meeting on the 16th instant :--
"This Proclamation is issued to inform the public that the establishment of commercial intercourse between the Chinese and the for- eigners is for the convenience and mutual benefit of both people. The British firm of Batter- field and Swire has established regular steamI- ship services at the varions Treaty Ports in China for the conveyance of goods and passengers for a number of years and have been trading all along peacefully with the Chinese. Last year on account of an action brought against one Noronha (who was employed on board the S.S. Fatahan) for kicking a Chinaman to death, public feeling was consider- ably inflamed, and the people began to have suspicions and avoided travelling by that steamer. With regard to the above matter, strict exhortations were issued to the people to desist from creating trouble, and they were also requested to ship goods and travel by the steamer in the ordinary way, after which things went on peacefully. Fearing that there might be some people who are desirous of creating trouble on the pretext of the Fatshun incident, I have purposely issued this proclama- tion for the information of the public. You are all aware that the firm of Butterfield and Swire has hitherto been carrying on businoSS in China upon very friendly terms, with a spirit of justice and firmness, and the Chinese people bave been very grateful to them for what they have done. A University is about to be estab- lished in Hongkong for the convenience of educating the Chinese people, to which the firm of Butterfield and Swire alone gave a donation of over $400,000. Moreover, I have heard that the firm has given instructions to their employeos to pay special attention to the comfort of the passengers and have engaged more people on board their steamers to attend to the passen. gers. With regard to Noronha's case, the man is a Portuguese subject and his case should be tried at the Portuguese Court. The British Government have no power to try the ease.
I command you all not to drag the firm of But- terfield and Swire into Noronha's case and by this proclamation I command you to continue to I com- travel and ship goods by that steamer. mand the people to take notice of and abstain from disobeying this proclamation,"
C.O.
24976
RECE REGP 26 JUL 09
30079
LAUG 10 1950
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