93
2/
in the House of Commons, to enquire into the smuggling of opium from Hong Kong into China, proves that armed bands of Chinese smugglers and Pirates not unfrequently assemble on British territory,
9.
Under these circumstances, the present excited state of the Chinese, and with only a few hundred Europeans scattered among an overwhelming native population of above one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000), the most experienced observers believe that a serious riot or outbreak may not improbably take place at Hong Kong as at Canton, as a consequence of a brawl between European and Chinese sailors, or some other unforeseen cause of collision. Of course, any movement of this nature would ultimately be put down with the help of the Garrison, but there might be in the meanwhile lamentable loss of life and destruction of property. All agree that the true method of prevention is to let the Chinese populace see that The Police is well-armed, and well disciplined