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He advised "that it would be well if he cut loose from those whose sentiments towards the British Government are well known and who would like to make fools of all those who are weak enough to be guided by them.”
The tone of the China Mail editorial was echoed in the remarks the Governor made a few days later on the occasion of the annual visit of the old and new directors of Tung Wah Hospital. He was displeased with the directors because they were resisting the efforts of the Government to introduce Western medical practice into the hospital as a supplement to Chinese methods. In addition, he was still upset by the uprising of the Chinese against the measures introduced to control the bubonic plague in 1894.
Then to top it, in March 1895, the coolies had gone on strike to protest against efforts to apply certain sanitary laws to common lodging houses. The strike was considered to be seditious because it was in opposition to a law of the Colony.
The Governor was in no mood at the time of the visit of the Tung Wah directors for more agitation by the Chinese. Now not the coolies but respectable, English language educated gentlemen were advocating resistance to law. It was all too much. With leaders to the Chinese community before him, he could not miss the opportunity to voice his displeasure over the statements made at the recent protest meeting. Any allegations that the Chinese were victims of class legislation were, in his opinion, preposterous.
Accompanying his displeasure was a veiled threat. He said he was convinced "some people were evidently trying to stir up strife, and if they continued he should have to take measures to suppress it."
Some felt that the Governor was over-reacting. It was not well for the future of the Colony if the leadership of the Chinese community and the Government were drawn up into two opposing camps, hurling insults and threats at each other, but never meeting to consider differences.
The incident raised the issue of the best way for Government to