Copy of Extract.
Canton Intelligence Report,
Quarter ended March 31st 1896.
91
Early in February an uneasy feeling became noticeable among the native officials. SUN WEN, the leader in the abortive attempt of last October, was variously reported to be in Japan obtaining support from China's enemy, or in Honolulu raising vast sums or promises of a share in the loot of Canton from the emigrants there, but in any case preparing a renewed and serious rebellion in this province. The failure of the rice crop and consequent distress in Kwangsi, together with the gloomy agricultural prospects caused by the unseasonable cold and wet of the spring here, led to a serious advance in the price of rice, oil, and fuel. Possibly this supplied the justification for the disquietude of the local authorities; yet my enquiries failed to find any similar apprehension or expectation of trouble among the people of Canton.
On the last day of February, however, the Hong Kong Government informed me that abnormal quantities of arms were being shipped to Macao. I communicated this news to the Viceroy, who promptly sent his factotum WANG TS'UN-SHAN to see me and to beg me to move Hong Kong to refuse asylum to SUN WEN. That plotter was supposed to have returned thither; but the Police could find no trace of him, and I reassured His Excellency T'an by telling him that an order of banishment...