volition has been to abandon them to the mercy of their owners, with consequences that are partially disclosed in the quoted statistics, and that may be inferred as regards the women themselves.
It is submitted that the prerogative of the Imperial Authority is strained when it is exerted to prolong such conditions, and that the Colonial Legislatures should be left free to adopt remedial measures which they know to be adapted to local conditions.
Sentimental considerations which carry weight in the United Kingdom are inapplicable where the social conditions differ so completely. Not only do the Chinese women in Hongkong and Singapore not resent inspection, but it is their best protection against a fate which people familiar only with the conditions of life in England cannot conceive.
It has been alleged that the Acts were capable of abuse; but the Committee are not aware that it is alleged they were abused. They do affirm, on the other hand, with confidence, that any measure less drastic would be inadequate, and would open the door to abuses which one familiar with Asiatics will readily conceive.
open
the
Correspondence regarding the Contagious Diseases Acts in Hongkong.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Arhanden.
Hon. Secretary China Association.
SIR,
China Association to Colonial Office.
31, Lombard Street.
31st May, 1897.
The telegram from the Hongkong Branch of this Association which I have the honour to append is another expression of the movement in favour of remedial legislation that has been excited by recent disclosures as to the health of our troops. It will be within your recollection that Ordinances whose effect was beneficent while they were in force, were repealed in Hongkong and the Straits Settlements, as well as in India, in opposition to the strongly expressed opinion of the Civil and Military Authorities, and of the public generally, in both colonies. That feeling has been strengthened as experience has confirmed the apprehensions entertained. Medical Reports show that the consequence to the health of the garrisons has been disastrous, and the present telegram is an opportune expression of a conviction that has never slackened.
The Committee refrain from entering into the question more fully at present, as they have no doubt that this appeal will be followed by a statement of facts and of the special considerations that affect Hongkong. They confine themselves, therefore, to the expression of a hope that the interests which the Association represents will, in the meantime, receive due consideration.
The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P.,
(Signed) R. S. GUNDRY,
Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Hon. Sec. China Association.
TELEGRAM.
Hongkong, 28th May, 1897.
Enforcement Contagious Diseases ordinance imperative. Condition garrison deplorable.
SIR.
China Association, Hongkong, to General Committee, London.
Hongkong, 12th May, 1897.
I have the pleasure to hand you herein statistics containing a comparative statement of the health of the troops in garrison during 1884-6 and 1894-6. The figures speak for themselves.
The Colonial Secretary has promised his assistance in procuring further statistics in other directions, which I hope to hand you shortly. Until these are available it seems unnecessary to further refer to the opinions entertained by the Committee, than to repeat that they are prepared to support a movement having for its object the control of Contagious Diseases.
R. S. Gundry, Esq, Hon. Secretary,
China Association, London.
(Signed)
F. HENDERSON,
Hon. Secretary.
Page 155
Page 155
Page 155