OPY
sir,
"Centurion" at Hong Kong.
8rd April 1900.
56
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's letter of the 2nd instant, with enclosed copy of the Police Report, informing me of the piratical attack on the steam launch Chang Sha and British lighter in tow of her, on the evening of the lat instant, near Shek Ki when the Chinese Pilot on board the stean launch was killed, three men wounded, money and other property stolen and a Chinaman (a comprador) carried off as a hostage.
2.
I quite agree with Your Excellency in the necessity of not passing over this outrage without some redress and punishment, more especially as the lighter which was pillaged was sailing under the British Flag.
8.
Punishment, restitution, the giving up of the comprador unharmed and a prevention of a recurrence are what are of course wanted.
4.
As regards punishment and restitution, the difficulty is to know where the offenders live and how to identify them. Referring to this, the town (or village) of Shek Ki being olose to the East side of the creek where the outrage occurred should, in default of more exact proof be held responsible. Its Mandarins or Readmen should be seized by the Chinese Authorities and kept prisoners till the compensation has been made for what has been stolen, the comprador safely restored and either the offenders given up to Justice or a fine paid for what has occurred; besides a sum of money to the family of the Pilot who was killed.
Failing the above the town or part of it should be burnt by the Chinese Authorities, perhaps assisted by us.
Zoellency
Henry Blake,
G.C.M.O.,
GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG.
5.
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