"THE RING OF SHAME."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9091, 16 May 1908, Page 3

"THE RING OF SHAME."

A GREAT BOYCOTT. JAPAN'S ENORMOUS LOSS. Lateet Chinese files received in Sydney by the Nikko Mnru, writes tne Sydney correspondent of the Auckland "Herald" under date May 6th, report fully on the subject of the boycott against Japan arising ou.t of the Tutsu Maru incident. The comments in the papers show the greatness of Japan's error in using a "big stick" to secure satisfaction from China. Had the Japanese Government accepted China's offer of apology for the insult to Japan's flag and remission of other points in dispute to arbitration the would have redeemed her honour. But [Japan's rulers chose the more ignoble part. They indulged their vanity by inflicting upon a neighbouring country the most poignant of humiliations. The flag of Japan has been publicly honoured. Now Japan's merchants a:e forced to pay the price. Success which China cannot gain in the field she accomplishes in the mart. If Japan had not China as a field fcr her pr6duct3 and manufactures, her trade would be inconsiderable. Ruin faces Hokkaido, whence comes the bulk of Japanese foodstuffs consumed in China. In 1906 exports were valued at £12,000,000 out of a total of £42,000,000. Since then exports to China have increased until now they are estimated to form one-third of the entire export trade. If, therefore, as seems inevitable, China continues the boycott of Japan, the latter country will find herself in a worse position than if she had been defeated ii a martial campaign. Chinese women have entered strongly into the boycott. An assemblage of ten thousand women took place on April sth, at Canton, despite drenching rain, and proved spectacularly: impressive. In the big hall was a large piece of white cloth, inscribed | in Chinese characters, "National Disgrace Memorial." Those present were all in white "mourning" for the disgrace of the country. Resolutions [ were carried unanimously recording national shame over the disgrace inflicted on China by Japan, also to' have rings engraved with the characters "National Shame," in order to keep the event green in their memory, and further unanimously agreeing to carry out retaliatory measures to the bitter end. At Hongkong boycott measures l both as regards business ashore and afloat have been instituted. One big firm in that ctiy had the Japanese portion of the goods in its possession dumped into the sea, declaring this was done to emphasise matters. Posters outside all Chinese business premises indicate "no Japanese goo J : j procurable." Native banks at Canton have agreed to accept no Japanese notes. Another move against the Japanese is that no permission has been given Japanese priests to do missionary work.