CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 5

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Rec? REC 5 JAN 09

Telegram from Sir J. Jordan, No.1 January 2, 1909

A serious anti-foreign agitation directed and en-

couraged by a Chinese political society and by Chinese

newspapers has been occasioned by the death of a

Chinese passenger on board the British river-steamer

"Fatshan" on November 29th, alleged to have been caused

by a Portuguese member of the crew. Chinese Magistrate

of Viceroy's Secretariat, Chinese newspaper reporters

and Portuguese Consul attended an inquiry at the British

Consulate General on the 1st and 2nd of December, and

found that death had ensued from natural causes.

As the agitation continued and Chinese opinion was

not satisfied His Majesty's Consul-General made a pro-

test to the Viceroy which I strongly supported at the

Wai-wu Pu who telegraphed suitable

instructions. A

satisfactory proclamation was issued by the Viceroy and

Portuguese Consul was asked to institute a detailed in-

quiry. For a fortnight agitation subsided.

His Majesty's Consul General informs me to-day

by telegraph that political society has revived the

agitation