CO129-421 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [3-4] — Page 296

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negotiations at Peking. I enclose copy of an interesting despatch from His Britannic Lajesty's Acting Consul-General at Conton to His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking on the subject. Up to within the last 10 days the tendency to boycott Japanese goods in

this Colony had been successfully controlled, but I regret to say that since that date a local Chinese Steamship Company has refused all Japanese cargo for Test River Ports and some notices inciting to boycott have been posted in the streets. These latter were at once removed by the Police and I am endeavouring to persuade the Steamship Company to resume acceptance of the cargo referred to. The Japanese Consul-General has made representations both as regards the refusal of cargo and the posting of the notices

referred to.

4.

The feeling against the Japanese amongst the

Chinese, who know their aggressors for a treacherous unscrupulous people dominated by an aggressive militarism, is so strong that the situation created by Japan's unwarranted and far-reaching

demands is fraught with much danger. A collision would be disastrous to Ching and to the trade of this Colony which is like-:

-wise threatened by many of the demonds made by Japan.

I have sent a copy of this Despatch to His

5.

Britannic Kajesty's Minister at Peking.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient,

huable servant,

Amaz

Governor,&c..