}
305
Kwang Si with my reply. The subscriptions here will be
about Forty thousand dollars.
2. Every assistance is being given to the gen-
tleman engaged in the work of distribution and the atti-
tude of all the Officials, the gentry and the people is
cordial and grateful.
3. The state of the whole province of Kwang Si
is very bad. In the Northern and Western Districts
robber bands in some cases driven by want have collected
under certain leaders, each of whom dominates certain
Districts from which he collects tribute. These bands
are in a state of constant internecine warfare, the
stronger seeking to absorb or destroy the weaker, while
all are prepared to carry on a desultory struggle with
the Government levies who are generally worse armed than
the robbers, or rebels, the terms being synonymous. When
not engaged on a predatory excursion the members of the
bands return to their villages and resume the role of
ordinary country folk. It is to be hoped that a good
harvest in July may produce a general amelioration of
these conditions.
I have, etc.
(signed) HENRY A.BLAKE.
Governor,
etc.
་་ཀ་ ་་། -"--་་