4.
120
the Lee Gardens was made the stage of the meeting, and
both inside and outside the gardens many funeral scrolls
and different sorts of posters were put up, all of them
uncensored by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. There was a large replica of the national flag made of flowers
with a photograph of our President in the centre.
About 10 o'clock a large gathering poured in
in a continuous long queue, and the spacious meeting- place was immediately overcrowded. But streams of men were still coming in, and hardly any roan could be found
for them. The gathering numbered about 100,000, all of
whom maintained exceptionally good order. At the same time the Hong Kong Government sent out one thousand British troops to patrol closely the vicinity of the
Lee Gardens. The se surrounded the Gardens with rifles
ready as if they were prepared to fight dangerous foes.
Inside the Gardens there were armed British and Indian
policemen about 400 in all guarding the various
entrances and surrounding the meeting place. On the stage also some constables and detectives were posted to watch the movements of the platfom party and to stop
those who wanted to make speeches.
-
At 12 noon the chief Assistant Secretary for Chinese Affairs and the Captain Superintendent of Police came up to the stage with a translator to watch the meeting. The proceedings should have begun by this time, but as the members of the platform party had not all arrived, there was some delay. The Chief Assistant Secretary for Chinese Affairs suddenly spoke to Wong Tong, the principal Chairman, explaining that only one hour and a half were allowed for the meeting and that when this time was up, the meeting must be dismissed whether it was properly finished or not. He also explained that no member of the
audience