5
4
hours a-day.
Fortunately, the authorities were able to rely on the old troops (Hsün-' fang Tai), who are Hunanese, and for that reason have no sympathy with the An-hui troops, but they are poorly trained, and probably have no musketry practice, which accounts for their expending a vast amount of ammunition with very little results. fact, thirty or forty men on either side, able to shoot, would probably have quickly decided the affair.
In
The lack of discipline among the Lu-chün of An-ching and Nanking is a good deal due to the abolition of the bamboo, and the substitution of the puerile punishment of heating on the palm of the hand. The officers are afraid of their men, and Chinese soldiers always quickly realize this, and give trouble,
(Signed) GEORGE PEREIRA, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Grenadier Guards, Military Attaché.
Hankou, November 28, 1908.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
(No. 25.) Sir,
Consul Goffe to Sir J. Jordan,
Wuhu, November 24, 1908. I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copies of despatches which I received yesterday from Captain Nugent, of His Majesty's ship "Flora," giving details of the recent mutiny of Anhui troops at An-ching.
So far, there are no signs of the movement spreading to this port, and the few troops there are here are, apparently, under good control; it is reported, however, that there are a good many revolutionaries here whose actions will be guided by the course of events in the capital. Although there is much excitement, principally amongst the students, consequent on the recent developments in Peking and An-ch'ing, business is being carried on as usual, and there are no indications of trouble. It is reported, however, that some of the defeated mutineers from An-ch'ing have fled to Lu Chow Fu and other cities, where they have commenced looting, and this news is causing some anxiety,
There are some hundred foreigners here, many of whom, principally missionaries, reside some little distance from the customs jetty; and in view of the disquieting news from An-ching the foreign community met yesterday at the Consulate to arrange with the Senior Naval Officer as to what steps should be taken in the event of trouble occurring. The steam-ship Wingsang," which is temporarily taking the place of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co.'s hulk at this port, is, at the request of the Senior Naval Officer, lying with banked fires, and she would be able to raise steam and slip her moorings within an hour should the necessity for such a step arise.
As reported in my telegram No. 7 of the 18th instant, the Wuhu Taotai died suddenly on the evening of the 16th instant, and the charge of the port devolved on the Magistrate, a man by no means capable of dealing with the present situation. The papers announced that Kuo Ch'ung Kuang had been appointed acting laotai, but it was reported that owing to family affairs he would not arrive here for a month or so. It seemed to mine that the presence of a responsible official in the port was essential at such a time as the present, and yesterday I telegraphed to the Governor urging him to send a Tootai here without delay. Last night I received a telegram from his Excellency saying that Kuo Ch'ung Kuang would leave An-ch'ing to-day to take up the post of acting Tactal of Wuhu, and he added at the end of his message that the revolt at the capital had been entirely suppressed.
Sir,
I have, &c. (Signed)
HERBERT GOFFE.
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Captain Nugent to Consul Goffe.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the situation here is as follows:-
Flora," at Anking, November 22, 1908.
Two thousand soldiers belonging to the Anhui Province revolted on the 19th November, and attempted to seize Anking city. They occupied East Fort und
surrounded the walls, but were driven out of the fort by shell fire from four small Chinese cruisers and from the vicinity of the river on the 20th instant.
2. I arrived at 5 P.M. on the 21st; East Fort was considerably damaged by the bombardment. Everything appeared to be quiet and the Chinese General Ta Fong Yu was on board the cruiser "Tsch-Tien"; he stated that all the rebels had been driven to the hills.
3. The Secretary to the Governor of Anking came on board "Flora" about 6:30 P.M., and he stated that the rebels were still firing on the north side of the city, and that the soldiers who had revolted were mostly recruits, also that nine camps of Nanking and Hankow troops were advancing to suppress the revolt.
4. I received a letter from Mr. Westwood of the China Inland Mission stating that there were twelve men, two women, and two children in the city. As he seemed anxious to be taken off, I requested the Governor to have them safely conducted on board His Majesty's ship "Flora."
5. I have no news of the Military Attachés. They are supposed to be at Tai-ho, about 60 miles from here; I am endeavouring to communicate with them by letter, and will get them away if possible.
6. At present the revolt appears to be confined to the Anhui soldiers, and it remains to be seen how far it will extend.
7. His Majesty's ship "Britomart" reports that the missionary at Tatung stated that the soldiers there intended to revolt on the 20th, but there are only a few soldiers at that place, and the Customs official, Mr. Hance, said he knew of no trouble at Tatung.
8. I will remain here for the present.
Full reports by telegram from Tatung have been sent to British, Minister Peking, and to Commander-in-chief, Hong Kong.
Sir,
I am, &c.
(Signed) ROWLAND NUGENT.
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Captain Nugent to Consul Goffe.
"Flora," at Anking, November 22, 1908.
THE following missionaries were embarked on board His Majesty's ship "Flora" this afternoon :—
Mr. McCarthy, Miss Ogden, Miss Barber, Miss Tomlinson and four children, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Linston, and Mrs. Westwood.
Mrs. Westwood is taking passage this evening in Japanese steamer to Shanghac. The remainder are going to Hankow at first opportunity. All the other male missionaries are remaining on shore here for the present.
(No. 26.)
I am, &c.
(Signed) ROWLAND NUGENT.
Inclosure & in No. 1.
Consul Goffe to Sir J. Jordun,
Sir,
Wuhu, November 25, 1908. IN continuation of my immediately preceding despatch, I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of further despatches received this morning from Captain Nugent at An-ch'ing, a résumé of which was contained in my telegram No. 1 of to-day's date.
Some of the mutineers who fled from An-ch'ing have been arrested here, and last evening there were some looting and rioting in the immediate vicinity of the port, which were suppressed, not without difficulty, by the military. The police are now provided with rifles at night, and armed bodies of troops patrol the principal streets of the city and suburbs, visiting the hotels and inns en route.
Over 100 local troops left here this morning for Lu-chou Fu, about 250 li to the north-west of Wuhu, where serious trouble is reported; but owing to the interruption of
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