Chargé Carter to
the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
London, December 13,
1905.
No. 103.]
Sir: With reference to your telegram to Mr.
Reid of the 15th ultimo with regard to the boycott of American goods by
the Chinese at Singapore I have the honor to inclose a translation of
your cable, together with Mr. Reid’s reply thereto of the same date, and
also a copy of the memorandum left at the foreign office, and a copy of
Lord Lansdowne’s note of the 8th in reply.
From the latter it will be seen that Mr. Lyttelton, the secretary of
state for the colonies, will forward a copy of the correspondence on the
subject to Sir J. Anderson, the governor of the Straits Settlements,
who, it is stated, will doubtless take such measures as may be
practicable to deal with any unlawful acts or combinations on the part
of those concerned in the proceedings complained of.
Mr. Lyttelton, however, points out that unless actual offenses against
the colonial laws have been or are being committed it may be difficult
for the colonial authorities to take any effective action in the
matter.
I have, etc.,
[Page 504]
[Inclosure 1.]
The American Embassy
to the Foreign Office.
American Embassy,
London, November 15,
1905.
memorandum.
My government has been informed by the American consul-general at
Singapore that the boycott against American interests there by the
Chinese has taken a decidedly serious turn. That anonymous letters
are in circulation and that the trade in general is at a standstill.
It is feared that the trouble has only begun, and that circulars are
posted on all Chinese shops.
My government has instructed the consul-general to notify the local
authorities at Singapore of these anonymous threats and unlawful
combinations, and I am instructed to invite the consideration of His
Majesty’s Government respecting the gravity of this unfriendly
action by aliens in a friendly port and the adoption of whatever
protective and repressive measures that may be practicable.
[Inclosure 2.]
Lord Lansdowne
to Ambassador Reid.
Foreign Office, December 8, 1905.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to state
that I have been in communication with His Majesty’s secretary of
state for the colonies with regard to the representation made by
your excellency on the 15th ultimo, respecting the boycott of
American goods by the Chinese at Singapore.
Mr. Secretary Lyttelton will forward a copy of the correspondence on
the subject to Sir J. Anderson, the governor of the Straits
Settlements, who will doubtless take such measures as may be
practicable to deal with any unlawful acts or combinations on the
part of those concerned in the proceedings complained of. Mr.
Lyttelton, however, points out that unless actual offenses against
the colonial laws have been or are being committed it may be
difficult for the colonial authorities to take any effective action
in the matter.
I have, etc.,
(In the absence of Lord Lansdowne.)
