CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 429

In taking this step I was influenced by the con-

sideration that whatever objections might be taken to the

manmor in which the stowmer was seized and brought to

Canton, the Chinese Authorities would undoubtedly conterā

that my disclaimer of responsibility for a vessel numed

the "Tai On" flying the British flag justified them in

effecting

her arrest, and as regards the Viceroy's

refusal to release the ship at my first request, I

realised the difficult position in which he was placed

vi -à-vis the people of Tenton, over ready to resont real

or fancied encroachment un "China's Sovereign Rights",

at a juncture when popular foaling we disturbed by the

fulainations of the Self Government Society and the nows-

papers with regard to the Fatshun" case.

At the interview which lasted over an hour, the

Viceroy promised that he would give orders for te

imediate release of the vessel, and I on my part assured

Pis Excellency that I would arrange for the claim against

her to be hoard by the Judge of Wie Pajesty's Supreme

Court at an early date.

The

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