diseases are exposed through the activity of the Colonial Sanitary Authorities; but two of the placards state that eyes are scooped out, and
255
Dreadful and moving mischievous stories, and re. the ill effects which their dissemination may have caused. I have perused the placards, and it is obvious that they are published with the object of inflaming the public mind against the Hong Kong Authorities. The opinion of Chinese I have spoken to here is that these mischievous papers originate from Hong Kong.
I have brought the offensive placards to the notice of the Viceroy, and taken the opportunity of explaining the object of the steps taken in Hong Kong, being in hopes that His Excellency may issue a proclamation deprecating such horrible and mischievous placards.
(8 ?) Byron Brenan, Consul.
Acting Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong.
14th