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MA DAT SAN, THE BOYCOTT
LEADER.
INTERVIEWED IN PRISON.
A few days ago I was buried for nearly an hour in the narrow crowded streets of this haman bes-hive, Canton, journeying towards the Nam Hoi magistracy in the hope of meeting the now famous head of the Boycott movement against the commerce with the United States. The odds were against the interview, for such an innovation as a chat with B detained subject of His Imperial Majesty was not likely to be countenanced. Assurance and a kind friend won the day however. I was conducted through a maze of badly paved courtyards into a flagged enclosure, A pleasant-faced, intellectual looking, gentle man in English dress
forward and shook hands most cordially.
"Ma Dat San said the guide. The in- dividual in European dress smiled and shook hands again this time with himself.
came
The face lit up. Не bent forward almost imperceptibly. The fingers of one hand drummed nervously on a table -we had left the enclosure. Clothes, size, first impressions, everything faded, and I was looking at a face and hearing a voice. The face was mobile. It throbbed and one detected beneath the surface the spirit of the visionary, and of the leader. In the speech passionate, explanatory, and musical - the orator was discerned. Unleashed he would assuredly become an interesting personality. I realised that I had met a man who was worth an hour's journey.
were
Yes, he was one of the principal founders of the Boycott movement against the United States. Friends and students who had
gone to America reported that the Chinese illtreated in the cities. It was against the laws of Heaven to treat his countrymen in that way, for in the brotherhood of man each should be treated alike. The original emigrants were mostly of the poor class who had probally ruined themselves by gambling, which WBA especially prevalent iu the Sonth of China. Last year the President of the United States Government promised that the Exclusion laws and Immigration laws would be modified. In consequence of this the merchants had let the matter stand until quite recently when they received a telegram from the States saying that the matter had never been brought before Congress. When the resident
d given his promise some of the merchant had sold their old stocks, and others not under. standing the position saw that American goods were being sold, and they ordered fresh goods from the United States. The movement
however had never really ceased since last year. At this stage the Boycott leader produced a cipher cable message.
It Was the famous message from Oakland, California. It ran as follows-
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Yesterday the President of the United States told Congress that he will not mention about Chinese Immigration laws, and if you people do not cease to use American goods all the trouble that has gone before will be wasted and then the Exclusion acts will be more repressive. We beg that you will immediately devise
means to restore the Boycott to save those people in the States so that they will not bring in any more repressive laws; also to exhort all the people not to go as labourers to the Panama Canal. Send telegrams and notices and spread the news through all parts of China to boycott American goods again' Ma explained that on receipt of this telegram the feelings of the Chinese were "agitated ", on account of the United States Government not keeping their promise. He then gave a short account of the proceedings which followed but those are now fairly well known. He explained that the members of the Society had to listen to what their officials said and it was their duty to especially beed the words of the Viceroy, but they had agreed to send a respectful petition to His Excellency. In view of the statements made in the proclama tion the Pooiety had
sent a telegram to the United Statea asking that further inquiries should be made in order to
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
of the first telegram from America Was B mistake.
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threwith. Ha is knowɑ to be & warm admirer of H E. the Viceroy, and to bs nostinted in his praises of that high offl vial's broad views and progressiva attitude. H.E. Taotsi Lo honoured Mr. Nickerson with a osll on the 16th instant and remained some time with him. Lo Tantai is a good English scholar, and having resided in London for several years, is vary broad minded, and is a useful adviser to His Excellency.
AY UNPLEASANT RUMOUR.
[January 26, 1907. is being prolonged to enable him to gain the benefits of H E. the Viceroy's instructions "And did the reply confirm the first cable about the affairs of the Chinese in the United message?" I asked curiously. Ma (raced the States, all of whom are natives of the Provinces auswer to my question on the table with his under the Viceroy's rate and in whose welfare finger. The reply was said to contain the His Excellency takes great interest. It following statements-The Chinese Minister in is believed in Canton that renewed off irts on the United States had telegraphed to the For the part of the Chinese Government -- are eign Office, the Bureau of Commerc aud to to be made to obtain better treatment for Viceroy Chon Fu memdrializing them to the | all Chinese in America, and that Mr. Nicker- efect that the Boycott carried on in the proper | son's presence in Canton has some connection tional Law, and advising them not to repress it. way was not contrary to the canons of Interns
In fact they should help its supporters to con- tione it and not be afraid. Certain limits, how ever, he also advised should not haereseded in carrying on the Boycott, nei her should forca be used nor dis.urbance caused. In addition to reporting this statement
the sum of $2,000 was remitted from the senders, who had beard that the Society's funds had been sealed up. Continuing the chat, Ma stated that the Society had possessed over $20,000 but this fund had been taken away." It. had been subscribed by werchauts in the United States, China, Australia and elsewhere in a large measure for the fostering of Chinese industry. Apparently one of the Chief aims of the Opposing Treaty Society had been the establishment of B kind of Trade Depot where the maunfacturing of all kiude of foreign goods could be taught. This intended to obviate the necessity for so many Chinese Emigrants. This scheme had beeu stopped by the authorities who concluded that it was only a oloak for the Boycott as the Depot was situated in the Hospital where the meetings bad been held from time to time. In reply to a query he frankly admitted that it was a pity that he had been detained at this juncture when the movement had just been renewed. chants had agreed to send in their goods to a central depot in order that those American goods could be disposed of without toa heary a loss, and they had promised that in future they| would not order American goods. Owing to his detention the C'entre had not yet. beeu started. Asked whether the Society friendly to Australia be replied in effect that the Chinese seemed to be satisfied with Australia as they were well treated there; but, he added, he could not tell whether in the future they would make thorough inquiry into the question of the treatment of the Chinese in Australia.
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Mer-
Was
So a remarkable interview suded, all too goou from my standpoint. It left behind the impres- sion that the movement has a strong leader and that every effort will be made to induce the authorities to reconsider their attitud».
CANTON.
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT).
p.m
January 18th. THE ACCIDENT TO THE f PACL BEAU Ou the morning of the 7th inst, at 2 when the steamer had just eutered the river and was but a short distance from the Boca Tigris pass, an accident happened on board the Paul Benu, on which I happened to be a passenger. The main steam pipe exploded, causing the engines to be stopped at oufe. those in the engine room the engineer on watch!
Fortunately for
did the necessary things at once and nobody was hurt. The steamer bad to cast anchor and await help. AL f a.m.
Chinese gunboat was sighted, but refused to convey the foreign pasengers (4 in number to Canton as she had valuable presents on board from the Emperor of China for Viceroy Chou Fu. Meanwhile the chief officer was despatched to Whampoa to get assistance and to telegraph to the agents. The Customs Cruiser Fei-foo, (Captain F. W. Callsen) was met and the chief officer returned on her to the steamer and the mails and the passengers were Canton.
conveyed to Captain Callsen's courtesy was much appreciated by all, everybody landing at Canton at 2 p.m. without further mishap.
It is rumoured that Viceroy Chou Fa received a confidential telegram informing him of his transfer to Chi-li or Szechwan and of Tuan Fang's appointment to Liang Kwang. Yasn Shi Kai is going to Hei Lang Kiang and Shum Chau Haen to the Liang Kiang or back to Liang Kang, where he wishes to come back, and it is said that there is every probability of his sucesoding. I is also said to be trying to get into the G and Conacil.
January 24th.
ITALIAN CHINESE AMENITIES.
At 11a.m. yesterday Viceroy Chou Fu called on Commsuddators Volpicelli (who had arrived a few hours before), Italina Consul-General, at the Viotoris Hotel His Excellency was accompanied by Lo Taotai. After the usual courtesies the Viceroy returned direct to his yaman. Comm. Volpicelli will return the call on the 25th instant, and will be accompanied by Baron Novellis, (Captain of the Cruiser Marco Polo,) and a suite of Italian officers. Baron Novellis was until lately Commodore of the Italian Squadron in the Far East and handed down
bis flag only when he left
Shanghai.
On the 26th instant Comm. Volpicelli, Baron Norellis and suite will call on the Tartar- tieneral, the 24th and 25th instant boiug Court mourning days (anniversaries of deaths of sovereigas of the present dynasty) no salutes General cannot receive them on those days. can be fired; and, consequently, the Tar¦ar·
Baron Novellis has been specially requested by the Italiau Legation at Poking to call upɔn LIE. the Viceroy.
AN AMERICAN APPOINTMENT. Viceroy Chou Fu has appointed the Honour- able Stephen W. Nickerson (Imperial Chinese Consul at B ston, Mas, U.S.A.) as Director General of the Chinese Commercial Intelligence Bureau for the United States. Cablegrams have been sent to Washington and to thẻ Wai- wa-pu announcing the appointment.
TRANSFER RUMOUR CONTRADICTED.. Local authorities have received telegrams from Peking stating that the rumour of the transfer of Viceroy Chon Fa and the high officials is without foundation. It states that H.E. Chou Fu's second son has been promoted
Province. to Salt Comptrol ́er of Cheong Lo in the Chili All the local official called on His Excellency and offered their congratulations.
CANTON HANKOW RAILWAY,
Chai Hospital by the gentry of the nine chari. A private meeting was held at the Kwong
table institutions (Viceroy Shum's clique of Directors of the Yast-Hin Railway Company). Lo Kwai Wai was elected to preside as chair-
man.
The follo ing resolutions were passed and enthusiastically adopted:
(1) T-grams to be sent to H.E. Chang Chih-tung, Governor Pong Hangshu and the Bureau of Posts and Communications to the effect that the accounts of the railway compant having been discovered that Yoong Sai-Ngam bad been sudited and found satisfactory. It
and Chan Kang-Yu are foreign subjects, it was decided to ignore them as shareholders of the company. Their idea is to invest all the railway funds in foreign banks and to engage lawyers to interfere in the matter. Should those foreign | Consul at Boston, Mass U.S.A., who is travel- | banks fail, what shall we do? It is plain that lingin the East for his health. It is thought I their intention is to borrow some foreigner's ascertain whether the despatch that Mr. Nickerson's stay in Canton name and grasp all the money. It is through
MR. CONSUL NICKERSON ND THE VICEROY,
His Excellency Viceroy Chou Fa granted an extended audience on the 15th instant to the Honourable 8. W. Nickerson, Imperial Chinese
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