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Hutchison, viz. that it would not be advisable at present to make any formal protest on the subject, as it is more than likely that the Tokyo Government is ignorant of this adventure of the local Japanese authorities and the result of its prohibition would only be to
reduce still further the legitimate trade of the Colony: whereas, if it is left unchallenged for a while it may develop into a trade so considerable
as to justify an asertion that the river was virtually open to traffic and a de and that British steamers should no longer be excluded.
4.
The owners of British vessels which
I normally ply between here and Canton have, realise, a justifiable grievance but in my opinion this can hardly be removed without a general reopening of the river trade.
5.
As regards the further complaint that in the trade between Canton and other ports in China the Japanese are wantonly appropriating for their own ships that which is, on the pretext of military exigencies. denied to their British competitors, 1 feel that this is hardly within my province except perhaps for the fact that Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, the firm chiefly concerned, has its head office in Hong Kong. The Consul General in Canton, who I observe has been furnished with copies of the correspondence now enclosed, will no
doubt come to his own decision in this matter.
6.
Copies of this despatch are being sent to His
Majesty's Ambassadors at Shanghai and Tokyo, His Majesty's
Consul-General at Canton, and the Commodore, Hong Kong.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
At Northetto
Governor.
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