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Certain overtures have recently been
made by merchants in Canton, which may eventually lead to more formal negotiations, but there is still no evidence that those in authority have any desire to put an end to the boycott. There is little doubt that they hope by means of successul military operations ao to dominate the whole of South China, as to be in
a position to dictate their own terms for the
resumption of trade relations with Hongkong.
4.
It remains for me to place on record my appreciation of the services which have been rendered
by individual members of the community in connection
with the crisis. I may mention in the first place Mr. Chow Shou-son and Mr. R.H.Kotewall, who represent the
Chinese upon the Legislative Council. It is impossible
to speak too highly of the work which they have done.
In the first panic, when the Chinese might have been
likened to a herd of frightened sheep, they immediately came forward and shamed and compelled their fellow- countrymen into at least a semblance of courage. Anonymous letters threatening violence and murder were received by them daily, a reward for their heads was posted in Canton, and still they worked incessantly, gathering at first a few of the more venturesome spirita, who in their turn brought in others, till in a short time the whole Chinese Community had forgotten its fears. Later on, when generals and politicians began to gather in Hongkong from different parts of China, they rendered most useful service in explaining the policy of His Majesty's Government as to non-inter- vention, and they loyally supported that policy, in spite of a private_conviction, which they held at
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