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to prevent a recurrence of the boycott. I enclose copy and
translation of the viceroy's proclamation issued on the
3rd. instant.
His Excellency frankly admitted that hehad little or
no control over the actions of the Self Goverment Bociety
and he thought any attempt to "muzzle" the press .ould do
more harm than go d. His Excellency gave me the impression
that he was sincere in what he said, and confirmed the
opinion I had formed during the past few months that the
Chinese Government are, in Canton, face to face with a
problem, in the shape of this Self Government Society and the popular aspirations wich it represents, with which
they are at present undecided how to deal.
Y. de Moraes first intention was to arrest Kong Kung
Yen and sond him to Vacuo for trial. On second thoughts,
however, and partly on my advice, he decided to warn Kong
of what might happen to him if he continued to icentify
himself with the "Fatshan" agitation. The warning hus
apparently had a rood effect, as I understand Kong is now
exerting himself to bring about the withdrawal of the
prosecution
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