CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 202

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keep up an agitatiod which suited their purposes and

they have spared no efforts to fan the flame of popular

resentment and extend the boycott movement against

Messrs.Butterfield and Swire's steamers. Te sent a

representative to Shanghai charged with the mission to

stir up agitation among the Cantonese residents at that

port and attempted to draw the Chinese merchants in the

Philippines into the campaign. Put the prompt action

of Mr. Fox, who drew the Viceroy's serious attention

to the manoeuvres and also communicated with His Bajost. 's

Consul General at Manila on the subject, had the desired

effect of counterchecking these moves.

The Viceroy

issued a proclamation completely exonerating Mezore.

Butterfield and Swire from all blame and the affair

seemed likely again to die a natural death,

I regret to see, from a despatch from "r.Tox,

Copy

of which I have the honour to enclose, that Hessra.

Butterfield and Gwire, acting as they no doubt think

for the best, have taken a step which is more likely to

reopen the whole question and lead to renewed agitation.

Mr.Fox has, very properly in my opinion, refused to

ask