CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 285

Sect

to suimt

hoe hemlato exevog

car-në eqgatt tem

283

Society at Canton which was practically taking the conduct

of foreign relations out of the hands of the Viceroy and

placing them in those of irresponsible demagogues.

This

Society had been responsible for boycotte, which had en-

dangered good relations, for riots in Hongkong which had

necessitated the employment of force, and it was now taking

upon itself to dictate its terms to foreign firms in Hong-

kong and impose the conditions under which they were to be

allowed to carry on their trade.

Disintegrating influences

of this kind were subversive of all good government and

must inevitably end in political disruption.

The Prince made enquiries from two of the Ministers

present, who happened to be Cantonese, as to the constitu-

tion of the Self Government Society and was told that it

was an irresponsible body of agitators. His Highness then

asked me to furnish him privately with copies of the So-

ciety's letters which related to the negotiations with LessTS

Putterfield and Gwire and intimated his intention of in-

vestigating the matter.

I have since sent the letters in question to the

Prince