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firms who deal in arms, at the Green Island Depôt. Accordingly,
on the following day, I permitted the firms in question to resume charge of their stocks. Also with effect from the 4th. February, upon the recommendation of Lieutenant-Colonel A. Chapman, I dis- -continued the special guard which since the 1st. December had been mounted by the Volunteers for the protection of the Armoury at the Volunteer Headquarters.
4.
I regret to inform you that since the 9th. March there has been fighting in Canton as the result of an endeavour made by the Provincial Authorities to disband the troops of several pirate chiefs who had established themselves both in Canton and the neighbourhood. So far, however, there is no sin of the spread of the trouble to this Colony. The telegraph lines to Canton are reported to be interrupted and communication is at present by wireless between His Majesty's Ships.
5.
Reviewing the whole period since the revolu- -tion first broke out I am glad to be able to record my opinion that the leading Chinese have in very difficult circumstances done their utmost to loyally carry out the injunctions I laid upon them, and on the whole with a success with which I am gratified. They have been placed in a very difficult position. Not only are their sympathies strongly with the revolutionaries but any appearance of unwillingness to support the provisional "Military Government" at Canton was fraught with personal or pecuniary risk. As merchants their trade is with Canton and if the name of any individual was noted by the busy bodies of Canton as being that of a man who had not shewn zeal, it was probable that his business
would be ruined. Most if not all own property in Canton and have
relatives there or in the neighbourhood, and both would be en-
-dangered in such circumstances. Finally personal violence at the
hands of the bomb-throwing "Dare To Die" Association was in at
least one case threatened and Police protection had to be afforded.
It