་་་
C.O.
3399
RECO ~ W! FEB
389
1
For some time past a state of lawlessness, which
shows no signs of abating, has existed in the Chinese
provinces of Kwantung and Kwangsi.
Depredations are
constantly committed by armed bands both on land and
on the Canton River, and native and foreign commercial
interests are seriously affected by the general in-
security.
The Chinese authorities appear powerless to
effect any improvement in this condition of things.
One of the chief reasons for their failure to put an
end to the existing lawlessness is that the perpe tra-
tors of the outrages are better armed, and more numer-
ous than any force which the provincial authorities
are in a position to bring to bear against them.
In view of this state of things, every effort is
being made by the Government of Hong Kong to prevent
the illicit importation of arms and ammunition into
China, and an Ordinance is being introduced with the
object of giving the Government of the Colony a closer
supervision