WORLD-WIDE BOYCOTT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2183, 6 May 1908, Page 4

WORLD-WIDE BOYCOTT.

CHINA AGAINST JAPAN. I'U.CT lONS JOIN AG AINST COMMON ENEMY. Important developments will probably take place to-day (says a “S'yduoy .Morning Horn lit’’ of n recent date) in connection with the threutened boycott of Japaneso firms and goods bv the Chinese merchants and traders of Sydney. All arrangements have been completed lor the campaign, and action will bo immeduitoly taken upon receipt of a cable * <ssage from the headquarters of the Chinese Traders’ Association in Canton. A reply to the cablegram despatched from Sydney on Tuesday sosk'iig information and instructions was expected yesterday, but had not come to hand at a. .lato hour last night Advices received from the branch ol the organisation in Hongkong, however, stated that the boycott was in nctivo .progress, and the Ohineso in all countries would bo expected to co-operate. , , In anticipation of instructions Iro'.u Canton ordering extension of tlm hoycott. to Australian ports, arrangemeats 'have 'been made for uuox.uv meeting of the Chinese merchants a:\il trailers to-night, and a series ol live motions was yesterday dratted i r submission as .follows: (.1) “That the- action of the Japanese in regard to the Tats-u Marti incident- is a violation of treaty l'ipnvs, and the demand of the Japanese for an apology has heaped indignity upon the Chinese nation, which .mist he resented.” (2) “That t;his association resolves to withdraw all support from the Nippon Yuseu Ivaislm (Japanese line of mail steamers) in every way, anu tliat all goods imported and exported by Oliineso 'firms shall be. carried by other lines of steamships trailing to the Far East.” (3) “That the Chinese merchants refuso to transact business of any description with the Jpaneeo merchants in Sydney, and decline to handle all kinds of Japanese goods.” (4 ) “That all Ohineso merchants and traders of Sydney and other parts of Now South "Wales shall bo •required! to enter into a bond .providing for a .penalty of £SO for each and every breach of this agreement, and that the fines so received shall be devoted to the. formation of a common fund for the purpose of meeting all expenses which may be incurred in connection with the operation of the boycott in this -State.”

(5) “That the boycott shall be continued for sueli term as. shall, be decided upon by the headquarters of the association in Canton.” Absolutely .unanimity exists among the Chinese as to the necessity for resenting what is regarded as a serious affront to the nation, and, for tile .purpose of meeting a common enemy, the two .factions of the Ohineso have at last been united. CHINA -WANTS A NAVY. “If we had an effective navy, a line of modern battleships, and a liscipliiiecl army, wo would not -waste our time in a boycott-,” were the words -used by Mr Tong Chai Chih, the editor of the “Tung Wt:it Times” in discussing the present- position of affairs with a “Herald-” reporter last evening. “No,” ho added, striking a determined attitude, “.we would de«lare war against Japan at once, and give them what they are looking -for —a good thrashing. If we were only able to defend ourselves, we would not tolerate these insults ,for a single moment.” “China is awakening to her defenceless condition at last. A country with such an enormous population as Chinn should be able to protect its people and its trade. AVe ought not to bo in a position which compels us to quietly submit to these attacks by the Japanese, and the .people are now awakening to tile fact. Ho you know,” he significantly whispered, “I have just received advices to the effect that six big naval colleges are to be established in different parts of China to thoroughly train an army of officers for a future powerful navy, and.our attitude in a few years will be very different.” A prominent Chinese merchant, referring to the coming boycott, remarked : “The Chinese Merchant- iSociety in Hongkong and Canton controls all trade—it is stronger than the la-av. The pride of China has been severely wounded by the demand for an apology, and if a .boycott -is instituted at home you may depend -upon it that we will loyally follow here.’” Members of the well-known firm of 'On Chong and Co. expressed the opinion that the -boycott, would be commenced in Sydney. The Chinese traders and merchants, it was explained, are united in a federation throughout the world-, and even if the Sydney firms desire to hold aloof they dare not do so. -On the present occasion, however, it was pointed out, the Sydney traders- heartily sympathised with the movement that had been inaugurated. THE JAPANESE VIEAV. At the Japanese Consulate no information was- obtainable regarding the threatening boycott—in fact, the officials were busily engaged yesterday in endeavoring to secure further news. The first intimation of trouble ahead received by the Consulate was the report .published • in yesterday’s issue of the Herald. The opinion was, however, expressed that it -was highly improbable that an international question on the other side of the world, which had since been amicably settled, would lead to a serious trade war in Australia.

Inquiries at the offices of Japanese merchants, showed that the Japanese community does nob regard the -movement as of a serious nature, and the opinion is entertained that the meeting of -Chinese had a -political rather than a commerical significance. Mr A. G. ißaxter, managing the Nippon Yusen -Kaisha department of Burns, Philp, and Co., said that he had .been cognisant of the move of tho Chinese community for two or threo days past, Ibut was not in possession of . all the facts. He had- despatched a cablegram to the head office of the Japanese line in Tokio, and expected a reply to-day.