The present anti-Japanese boycott is very different in nature from those of the past. Previously such boycotts were instituted by students and demagogues. This boycott, however, is conducted by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and other similar public bodies, so that the movement is very widely spread and well regulared, resulting in far greater loss and damage to Japanese business men and manufacturers than previous boycotts.
With international commercial competition so, keen, it is most urgent for our Government to take measures to get rid of anti-Japanese movements fundamentally and to restore normal conditions. It is therefore desired that the Government should immediately negotiate with China on the following terms:
1.—The present anti-Japanese movements ignore the principle of the Sino-Japanese commercial treaties and violate international friendship. Therefore a strong protest should be lodged with the Chinese Government and a demand that the Chinese Government shat) take full responsibility for checking such movements.
2.—An inquiry should. be made as to the originators of the resolutions for "the severance of economic relations with Japan and the boycott of Japanese goods" and the strict punishment of those responsible should be demanded.
3.—The severe punishment of persons who have influenced or instigated, or those who have engaged. in, the boycott with a view to furthering their own business interests should be demanded.
4.—The dissolution of any public bodies or guilds specially organized to boycott Japanese goods and prohibition of the organization and holding of such meetings should be- demanded.
5.—The strict. punishment of persons obstructing the dealing in, or transportation of, Japanese goods should be demanded.
6.—The Japanese Government should demand that newspapers er handbills instigating an anti-Japanese boycott and those distributing them should be strictly dealt with, according to lai.
7.—The Japanese Government should again take strong measures to make clear to the Chinese Government their misconception of the retrocession of Port Arthur and Dairen and the abrogation of the 21 Demands, which are the cause of the present movement, and should demand that the Chinese Government should issue a proclamation that the anti-Japanese movements are illegal acts, violating treaty obligations.
8.—As the Peking Government is not in a position to compel the carrying out of its orders by local officials, the Japanese Government should instruct Japanese consuls in China to watch the situation and negotiate with local Chinese officials for the strict contro] of any anti-j} Japanese movement.
The communication. here quotes actual instances of "illegal acts" in connexion with the so-called "severance of economic. relations with Japan," which have occurred in Shanghai.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.