CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12] — Page 357

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they have near relatives and property in Canton, -while all have

business connections there they are inevitably concerned in the progress of events in that City. They have nevertheless been most anxious to preserve a correct attitude, and to follow my advice.

8.

Mr. Clementi who visited Canton privately on

the 9th. instant informs me that an official whom he met was more

than friendly, and he believes that their idea is to adopt Hp- -kong as a model rather than to resent our presence here. This seems to be confirmed by the attached manifesto issued by the

Head of the new Government having reference to the Printers'

strike here.

9.

-the

A

Consul-General Jamieson, however, informs me

that the anti-British feeling of new Goverment is so strong as

to have superseded even the animus against Germany and Japan which had led to reports of a Boycott against those countries. He assigns 3 reasons (a) the Naval escort afforded to British vessels on the West River since the attack on the "Shiu On": (b) his action in sending the ex-Viceroy to Hongkong in a British destroyer: and (c) language used by himself in connection with

the Railway.

10.

So far as I can gather, and indeed he said

so himself the feeling is rather against him personally than

against the British, nor do I think that either the first two alleged causes have given rise to any ill-feeling, certainly

none in this Colony.

11.

on

The matters which the Chinese have consulted

me, or on which I have had to take action are too various to detail. They comprise the raising of funds to support the tempora- -ry Government in Canton, the circulation of obsolete and un- -reserved Bank Notes, and of revolutionary promissory notes in the Colony, the passage of revolutionary troops on their way North &c., the opening of the Railway, and the question of permits for Arms, Ammunition, Gunpowder and explosives &c., &c.

12.

In order to keep the turbulent element under control I arranged on the 25th. ultimo with the General for