CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 208

C

206

The Viceroy's proclamation, which practically

took the form of a testimonial to Messrs Butterfield and

Swire, formed a fitting epilogue to the case as far as

Canton was concerned, and I do not think that, had Resurs

Butterfield and Swire remined firm, the artificial

boycott of their Manila ste mere could have been maintained

Nowever, with regard to the last point, Messrs

Tutterfield and Swire may have information which is at

present withheld from me. I can, for the moment only

report that we have apparently the prospect of a renewed

agitation in Canton over the "Fatahan affair, and that, fợ

this unfortunate revival of a difficult question, Wessrs

Butterfiold and Swire would appear to be themselves to

blame.

The Self Government Society are, as you will

obaorvo, for the present, confining themselves to attacks

on the Portuguese Consul, but it is obvious that my

action in this case will sooner or later be subjected

to renewed criticim, with the likelihood of a recrud-

#sc 30e