23
(Telegram to Secretary of State.)
17th April, 1899.
I am informed that a large number of men lined the hills at Castle Penk yesterday and fired upon a pleasure party that had gone there from Hongkong. A number of strangers are said to be terrorizing the villages. Two silk flags were yesterday presented to me by village representatives-one for transmission to Her Majesty The Queen, and the other to be used at the ceremony of hoisting the flag
here.
BLAKE.
(Telegram to Secretary of State.)
18th April, 1899.
A further attack was made yesterday by the rebels, which the British Forces successfully repulsed. Two guns were captured.
(Telegram to Secretary of State.)
BLAKE.
19th April, 1899.
The Army and Navy yesterday made a combined attack upon the rebels and successfully dispersed them. No casualties reported. I hope that trouble may now be practically over and have issued a reassuring proclamation. By Saturday, I hope to be able to report complete quiet.
(Telegram to Secretary of State»)
BLAKE.
21st April, 1899.
I have been able to make satisfactory local arrangements with reference to the Customs Question.
(Telegram to Secretary of State.)
Disturbances reported at an end-Villagers returning to work.
HONGKONG. No. 96.
BLAKE.
25th April, 1899.
BLAKE.
(Secretary of State to Governor.)
DOWNING STREET,
26th May, 1899.
No. 66, 17th March. No. 82, 1st April. No. 87, 7th April, No. 88, 7th April, No. 93, 15th April.
SIR,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches of the num- bers and dates noted in the margin having reference to recent occurrences in the newly-acquired Territory.
2. These matters have formed the subject of telegraphic correspondence, and you have already therefore received my instructions from time to time as to the action to be taken in each particular case.
3. I have been glad to learn from the latest telegraphic reports that matters are now generally quieting down, and that you do not anticipate much further difficulty in establishing and preserving order throughout the new Territory.
4. I need hardly say that I have followed the course of events with the utmost interest; and it has been a great satisfaction to me to learn that no lives have been lost on the British side during any of the operations. The complete success of these has, I cannot doubt, been largely owing to the promptness of action dis- played by yourself and by all concerned. Both Mr. LOCKHART and Mr. Mar, the latter of whom must have at one time been in a somewhat perilous position, appear to have acted with much energy and intelligence; and you have been ably supported by the military and naval forces at your disposal. I have had pleasure in bringing to the notice of the Secretary of State for War and the Lords Commissioners of the