Endiwa 40
1758
Tapy
for
Tas Setta Blake
K
Residential.
Sir,
Government House
10/7/99.
551
I have read the various reports from the
O.C. Troops at Sham chun with much interest. As the
duration of our occupation of the valley is uncertain
I think it advisable that you should know the
exact position of affairs.
2.
As you are aware from the telegrams shown
to you, H.M.'s Govt. has decided that the Chinese
Govt. shall be called upon to pay an indemnity on
account of the action of the Viceroy previous
to the date of the hoisting of the flag and pending
the payment of the indemnity the Shamchun valley
is to continue to be held by us. The valley is therefore
at present in Military occupation by H.M.'s
Forces; & as our civil jurisdiction does not run,
the district is practically under Martial law.
I need not point out to you the great importance
of dealing with the people of the valley with prudence
& moderation- for they have been so dealt with
since our troops advanced into the valley. I would
suggest that you instruct the various village
elders & gentry to resume their local jurisdiction
under the control of the O.C. Troops, & make them
responsible for the peace & good order of their
villages. As armed robberies have occurred, the
population should not be disarmed as the result would
be that the well disposed would lose their means
of defence & the bad characters would conceal their
arms for illegitimate use. The junks & boats from
Hongkong should be searched for arms, as we have
undertaken
R.R.
Major General Gascoigne C.M.G.