346
prisoners, and it is to be presumed that they will be given short shrift by the anthorities.
31th October.
Information has been received to the effect that on the 23rd the rebels were heavily defeated north of Sam To Chuk, about 400 being killed and 100 taken prisoners. A large number of villagers assisted the Imperial troops. The rebels retreated towards the Wing On Dis- trict, north of Kwai Sing.
The city of Ho Un, which was captured by the rebels towards the end of August, has been recaptured by the Imperial troops, some 500 rebels being killed in the assault on the city.
The rebels in Kwai Sing have dispersed. The party of rebels who made their appear. anco in the neighbourhood of Sha Tau Kok the other day are believed to be refugees from the dispessed main body. They have since gone northwards.
There is every reason to believe that the rebel movement will soon collapse, the fact that they are running short of arms and ammunition hav- ing a good deal to do with this.
The stringent measures taken by the Hong kong authorities to prevent the importation of arms and ammunition into China have apparent- ly had a most beneficial effect.
THE KWANGTUNG REVOLT.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Up to date the rebels have fought over ten engagements, in every one of which they were victorious. I learn from good anthority that the rebels have lost very few men, whereas the Imperialists have lost over 600. The rebels are now over 30,000 strong, with a detachment of cavalry composed of horses captured from the Imperialists. They are also well armed.
The report that 51 villages were burnt by the rebels at the Sam To Chuk fight is fulse. The women and children were not slaughtered as reported, but many were escorted to the rebel camp and protected by the order of the General in command. These were liberated after the fight.
It is true that some of the villagers were kill ed in the fight, as they assisted the Imperialists, who hid in the houses and fired from them. In attacking the Imperialists and villagers it is reported that the rebels used dynamite bombs, and these must have set alight the village grass heaps. The Imperialists forced the villagers to assist them, threatening to burn their villages if they refused. These poor villagers were forced to hear the brunt of the fight by the cowardly Imperialists.
This fight was subsequently reported as an Imperialist victory by H. E. Wu, the dead villagers being counted as so many hundred slain rebels! The officials always manage to manufacture victories out of defeats.
The Ping Tam rout was a ridiculous affair.
[November 3, 1200. mont, British Force Brig. (Gen. Lorne Camp- bell) 1 Company Australian Naval Contin- gent with 2 Machine Guns 1-2 Naval Guns, 6 Comp. 20th Punjab Infantry, 4 Comp. Hongkong Regiment. 1 Comp. Madras Pion- eers. 2 Squadron, 3rd Bombay Cavalry, 1 Field Troop, 1st Bengal Lancers, B. Bat. R. H. A. 6 Guns, No. 2 Company Bombay Sappers and Miners.
According to French reports, says the P. & T. Times of the 20th inst, a battalion of Zouaves, with two guns, and a squadron of Cavalry left Tientsin on the 8th, and reached Paotingfu on the 13th, meeting with no op. position en route, and found a flag of truce on the city walls. The French state they also took the railway station.
The Peking correspondont of the same journal writes on the 12th inst.:-
A combined movable column, under the com-
mand of Lieut. General Sir A. Gaselee, A.D.C., K,C.B., loft Peking this morning to operate in the direction of Paotingfu. The following British troops are taking part in the move- ment under the immediate command of Major. General Richardson, C.B., C.I.E., who has ap- pointed his own staff. Lieut-Col. Ramsay 24th P.I. commands the Infantry.
No. 12 Battery, R. F. A,- guns, 16th Bengal Cavalry-t squadrons, 1st Sikhs-200 rifles, 24th P.I.-200 rifles, 26th Bombay Inty. -100 rifles, 7th Rajputs - 100 rifles, Dotach-
Company" Q.D." Madras S. & M. under Capt. Tullock. R.E., one Field Hospital, to be de- tailed by P.M.O.
A native correspondent sends us the follow the surprise being so complete that the Imment Mounted Sappers, Half Company, No, 3 ing
!
PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE SOUTHERN
REBELLION.
The rebellion started near a place called Kui Chung() in Sun On District() the flag being raised on the 5th of October, and has now spread with wonderful rapidity to the districts of Pok Lo, Kwai Shin, Tamsui and Wei Chou, comprising the whole of the East River Section of Kwangtung Province.
AIMS OF THE REBELS.
The rebels are aiming at the overthrow of the Manchus, and the regeneration of China under a Chinese ruler. The leaders of the rebellion are unknown at present, but it is well known that the Government that they propose to es- tablish will be enlightened and progressive and friendly to foreigners. The recent Proclama- tions and manifestoes explain their policy, and the total absence of complaints from mission- aries and converts is proof of their good in tentions. Considering what they have already accomplished without injuring missionaries, mission property, converts and villagers with in their jurisdiction, they are deserving of the support of the civilized Powers. No civilized Power has any right to interfere with a nation fighting for its liberty and freedom, and good government,
BEHAVIOUR AND PROGRESS OF THE REBELS.
The rebels are subject to severe discipline, and the orders of the Generalissimo are strictly enforced. They appear to be guided by Western methods of warfare. All supplies commandeered from the villages are paid for. and complaints are few if any. Before leaving a village all debts are cleared. All the villages which have been visited by the rebels speak well of the just treatment received at their hands.
No pillaging or looting is permitted, and on the approach of a rebel column, messengers are sent ahead with proclamations and notices advising the villagers not to be afraid and assuring them of their good and patriotic intentions. Only when they meet with armed obstruction do they resort to arms in self defence.
They do not slaughter women and children or burn whole villages, as reported in the papers. These are the lying stories of the cowardly officials and the enemies of the rebels, who desire to bring about the interference of some foreign Power in order to save their heads and their hoarded wealth.
The alleged anti-foreign Si Yap proclama- tions are also the work of these base officials, who desire foreign interference, fearing a rising in these districts. The Si Yap people emigrate to America, make a little money and re- turn, so is it possible for them to hate foreigners? What are their reasons for this sudden enmity? The majority of them are Westernised and many are Christians! Truly the schemes of these base and treacherous officials are damuable.
|
perialist General just managed to escape with the loss of his hat and other personal belong | ing. His men were so terrified that they hid in ditches, quaking for their very lives.
The robels cut off the quenes of those who sur-
rendered and turned them into transport coolies. On one occasion the rebels captured about 40 village volunteers and after court-martialling and lecturing thom they were liberated. These frightened villagers "kowtowed" a thousand times for thisextraordinary show of magnanimity.| As soon as the rebels have firmly established their bases it is believed a Provisional Govern ment will be declared, followed by the cutting of queues and the adoption of a special uniform. It is said that the officials will adopt the European style of dress.
BEHAVIOUR OF THE IMPERIALISTS.
As soon as the rebels got clear of Sun On, Admiral Ho Cheung Ching began his magni- ficent" march. He burnt several villages to the ground, allowing his braves to pillage and loot and commit other savage excesses. This will be repeated in many other parts of the Province. The villagers of Sam Chow Tin, Ma Lan To, &c., were either dispersed or killed, and the places whereon these village stood are now nothing but charred and blackened patches. The destruction is appalling.
Such is the treatment of villages whose in- habitants were obliged to "accomodate" the rebels through want of Government protection. Instead of pursuing the rebels this cowardly Admiral has retreated after having wreaked his vengeance on innocent villagers.
of
The 7th Rajputs were debarred from taking part in the expedition owing to the non-arrival
their warm winter clothing, their place in the column being taken by additional men from the 26th Beluchistan Regiment.
The following Staff is accompanying Lieut- General Gaselco-Capt. Poll, A.D.C., Lient.- Col, O Sullivan, A.A.G., Capt. Norie, D.A.Q.M.G.I., Capt. Rigby, Supt. Army Sig- nalling, Capt. Selwyn, Special Service Officer, Mr. Gattrell, Chinese Interpreter, Mr. Jameson, Consular Service.
A small survey party under Major Renny- Tailyour, R.E.. also accompanies the Force. The Commissariat Trausport Department car- rise 3 weeks' supplios with 3 days' grain for horses and mules.
Captain Douglas is responsible for all trans- port arrangements in addition to commanding his own Transport Corps.
The above-mentioned troops concentrated and encamped at the Temple of Heaven on Thurs- day afternoon under the order of Major- General Richardson, and marched out this morning vid Liu-kou-chao.
TROOPS AT HONGKONG AND KOWLOON.
Residents in Hongkong and Kowloon will no doubt be interested to know what troops, Euro- Hundreds of villagers are now homeless and pean and Native (Indian), are now stationed in in misery, and many have fled to Hongkong for our midst. The following list gives the Regi- safety. These complain bitterly of the ontments. Hospital Sections, etc., and also the rageous behaviour of the savago Imperialist names of the officers of the three New Indian soldiers. Villagers from other district are also Native Regiments:- complaining. No doubt the obliteration of these villages will be magnified into a great "Chinese victory by the Imperialists and Admiral Ho, the "Valiant," will get his doubled eyed peacock's feather.
The Imperialist soldiers afford no protection to the villagers, but murder, pillage, und loot whenever they get the chance.
REGIMENTS.
EUROPEAN. Royal Artillery (garrison, 3 companies); detachment Royal Engineers; 2nd Batt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers: detachment Royal Army Medical Corps; Army Servico Corps; Army Pay Corps.
NATIVE. Hongkong and Singapore Batt. Royal Artillery 3rd Madras Light Infantry; 5th Infantry (Hyderabad contingent); 22nd Bombay Infantry; depot of Hongkong Regi
With such soldiers as protectors, and such a rotten and corrupt Government, who can des cribe the miseries in store for our people?ment. Truly men are forced to rebel.
1
THE PAOTINGFU EXPEDITION. From the Peking and Tientsin Times it appears that the column which left Tientsin for Paotingfu on the 8th ult. consisted in full of the following:-French Force (Major Gen. Bailloud)-2 and 3 Battalions of Infantry, Squadron Cavalry, Artillery, Pioneer Section; German-Italian Force, (Major Gen. von Kettler) -1 Infantry Regiment, 2 Battalions, 1 Field Troop. 1 Battery Artillery, 4 Guns, 1 Field Hospital, Battalion Berseglieri (less I Com- pany), 1 Battery 6 Guns, 1 Pioneer Detach
Now attached for duty at Station-B Section, No. 16 British Field Hospital; B & C Sections, 47th Native Field Hospital; C & D Sections, 62nd Native Field Hospital; A & B Sections, 38th Native Field Hospital; No. 2 Native Gen- eral Hospital, Base Medical Store Depôt, and minor details.
Field Controller, Staff, and Offico Establish- mont, Remount Depot, Army Veterinary Ex- tablishment, Commissariat Base Depôt, Field Post Office.
OFFICERS.
3RD MADRAS LIGHT INFANTRY. —
.-Lieut.- Col. Teversham, D.S.O.; Major Tuite; "Cap-
ปี
・