ENCLOSURE 7.
COPY.
C.O.
444
Viceroy to Mr. Scott.
270%
June 7th. 1901.
8 AUG OF
Sir
I have received the following petition from the Kuang-tung Ai Yu Tang, Kuang Chi Yi Yuan, Kuang Jen Shan Tang, Tsung Cheng Shan Tang, Ming Shan Tang, Tsung Pen Shan Tang: --
"The Merchants and work people of Hongkong are mostly Chinese from the interior, who, on being attacked by disease, are very anxious to return home to be under the care of their family to whom, in case of death, they can give directions for the settlement of their affairs. The plague having recently broken out in Hongkong, the Sanitary Officials, with the humane object of preventing the spread of the disease, closely search all Steamers to Canton before departure from Hongkong and remove all persons who look weak and ill to the Tee House for treatment. Fear often aggravates the sickness of these ignorant Chinese and but few recover. If they die, their bodies are not allowed to be taken home and their remains are laid in some unknown place, which increases the general alarm.
From 1899 to 1900, the Chinese in Hongkong who became infected with disease were allowed by the Governor to return home, and the people still speak to this day gratefully of this favour. It is also said that foreigners stricken with disease who return home get well on the voyage, and the nature of Chinese and foreigners is the same, although their countries are different. The Merchants and Gentry of Hongkong have already petitioned for a modification (of the present rules), and the Governor of Hongkong, mindful of the feelings of the people, is well aware of the misery of the Chinese, but as this law has been enacted by the Government, it is not proper to alter its provisions without authority. The Chief men of the Tung Hua I Yuan of Hongkong and the Chinese Merchants' guild have publicly consulted with us on several occasions, and we have jointly begged the High Authorities to request the Governor of Hongkong to ask his Government, as a special concession to popular feeling, to allow, in accordance with the practice in 1898 and 1900, all sick people, whether infected with plague or not, to return home for treatment, and also, in case of death, to permit their bodies to be conveyed thither for burial in the family graveyards, thereby conferring a favour on the living and dead, and performing both a virtuous and expedient act".
The Chinese in Hongkong have long enjoyed kind treatment and protection from England, for which I feel grateful. Recently, on account of the prevalence of the plague, the Hongkong Officials have searched for and treated sick people, which is still further evidence of their humanity and impartial treatment of all.
Translator's Note, Charitable Institutions
Iring was Prefectual
The incenses of their form is not quite clear
-out