CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 485

is

482

On the afternoon of January 1st. the long; throatened

boycott actually occurred. As you will see from Ir. Porter's

report, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, the

aff ir had evidently been prearranged; there was no dis-

turbance and the police were easily able to control the

crowds that had collected in tho nuighbourhood of the

wharves. The "Fatalin" loft for Hongkong that evening

practically empty.

The Self Government Society, having apparently

gained their object, issued a circular the following mor-

ning deprecating a boycott of the "Fatahan", and calling

on the people of Canton to be quiet and patient. I an

unable to enclose translation of this circular, I

handed the only copy I was able to obtain to the Viceroy

at an interview I had with His Excellency that afternoon.

Commodore Lyon having arrived at Canton on the evening

of December 31st. I availed myself of the opportunity

afforded by his official call on the Viceroy to improse

once again upon is Excellency the serious consequences

that would inevitably ensue if the Self Government Society

were