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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
C. O.
533
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(
[10606]
(No. 69.) Sir,
No. 1.
[March 29]
780
RECO SECTION
31 APR 10
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 29.)
Peking, March 8, 1910. WITH reference to my telegram No. 26 of the 14th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch" from His Majesty's consul-general at Canton reporting upon the recent mutiny of Hagga soldiers at that city.
The mutiny was suppressed after three days' fighting, during which from 400 to 500 men were killed.
I have, &c. (For the Minister),
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
P.S. Since writing the above, I have received the further despatch from Mr. Jamieson, copy of which is also enclosed, containing a revised version of the occurrence, according to which the casualties were much less than was at first reported.
W. G. M. M.
Enclosure in No. 1.
(No. 6.) Sir,
Consul-General Jamieson to Sir J. Jordan,
Cunton, February 25, 1910. HAVING reference to my despatch No. 5 of the 16th instant, on the subject of the recent disturbances between the Caaton constabulary and the local military forces, I have the honour to submit a revised version of what is supposed to have taken place, compiled after excitement has subsided and a dispassionate review of circumstance has become possible.
On the last day of the expiring Chinese year-the 9th February-a unit of the new foreign-drilled troops, not in uniform, got into altercation with an engraver of visiting cards over a question of 5 cents' worth of change. The soldier wanted a 5-cent piece and was tendered 5 copper cents. A 5-cent piece exchanging for 6 copper cents, an additional copper cent was demanded, and thereupon a brawl ensued. The police appeared on the scene and the soldier was arrested. Subsequent explanations proving him actually to be a soldier, he was, to conserve face, sent back to his battalion in a chair, and it was thought that the incident was closed. The new foreign-drilled troops have, however, by injudicious pampering acquired an exalted idea of their own importance, and the troops of the second battalion, not originally in any way concerned, took it upon themselves to avenge what they considered an insult to their uniform, and commenced reprisals on the police. To guard against additional conflicts the officers decided to confine their men as a body to barracks during the holidays, only allowing them out in batches of thirty at a time. One of these batches, anxious to make trouble, returned to the barracks and falsely reported an impending attack by a large force of police. Their comrades got excited and clamoured to be let out. They refused to obey orders, got hold of their arms and ammunition, killed one of their commanding officers, and sallied forth.
Some days previous to the New Year, however, the Governor-General, apprehensive of holiday brawls, had issued orders for the removal of a certain piece of vital mechanism of their rilles (my Chinese informant cannot accurately describe it), and they were accordingly at a distinct disadvantage in the desultory fighting which ensued. In the meantime the authorities had called out the old Manchu garrison to defend the city gates and walls, and telegraphed to Whampoa for the head of the military college, Huang Shih-lung, who had originally trained the disaffected troops, and who had great influence over them. As a result of the representations made by him they agreed to return to duty if they were accorded a free pardon, and he took it The Manchu upon himself to lead them into the city to pray for and obtain the same.
* Not printed.
[2875 ƒ-3]