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E
Talpo,
6th. May 1899.
366
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Your Excellency.
With reference to my minute of the 4th. inst.
reporting a rumoured attack from Tung Kun and other
places within Chinese territory on the British and
natives of the Pat Heung District;. I wrote to the San
On Magistrate in accordance with your instructions, in-
forming him of the rumours and telling him that he would held responsible if any trouble arose. I have just XXXKi received his reply of which I enclose a precis.
From the enquiries I have instructed I do not think the rumour is true, but there can be no doubt that it was believed by many of the people in the Pat Heung and
I Lam Tsun District, some of whom had removed before had time to communicate with the elders.
I understand that my letters to the Pat Heung and Kam Tin elders have had a good effect in allaying fear and establishing confidence.
I have again recommended in my minute of yesterdays date that a force should be stationed at the frontier and
should number at least 100 men.
(Signed) J.H.Stewart Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.