PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
LIC.O. 882
242
some few of the troops, leaving, however, an amply sufficient force for all purposes. These I placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel The O'Gorman, directing him, however, to occupy with a small force the town of Sha Tau in Deep Bay, as I look upon that place as being strategically of the utmost importance. You are aware of the difficulties of navigation in Deep Bay, and in the river leading to Sham Chun, and to hold possession of Sham Chun it is in my opinion absolutely necessary to hold Sha Tao as it is possible to land there under difficulties in any state of the tide. Sham Chun at low tide, &c., is almost impossible to reach. It is no part of my duty to dictate any line of boundary to Your Excellency, though I assume full responsibility for the present occupation of Sha Tao in the interests of the troops at Sham Chun; but there is a good road from Sha Tao to Sham Chun, and, from a military point of view, I certainly con- sider that that should be held. The country round Sham Chun is fertile and pros- perous, and the town itself compares favourably with many, certainly with Kowloon City.
As regards the peaceful occupation of this latter town,. Your Excellency being here on the spot, has a better knowledge than myself of how quietly this was conducted, and how complete was the surprise of the inhabitants, and of the Chinese garrison. Being well aware that no opposition was probable, I felt justified in detailing a comparatively small force for the purpose, especially as this force was largely augmented by the Hong Kong Volunteers, who in return for the great interest in them displayed by Your Excel- lency have nearly doubled their numbers, and are now a respectable factor for defence purposes. Thus these two cities have been quietly taken with no bloodshed, and there will be no sort of difficulty in holding them for all time.
I have felt it to be out of place in this despatch to Your Excellency, to do more than relate the bare facts of the case, so I have not touched upon the merits of the troops either individually or collectively, but Your Excellency is as well acquainted as myself with the great difficulties there are in this country of getting to a place either by water or by land; most of the bays are so difficult to land from that great extra trouble and fatigue is encountered; marching over these mountain passes in a tropical sun is no child's play; sufficient for me to say that the troops of all ranks have cheerfully borne very considerable fatigue and labour, and that they have fully satisfied myself.
There has been practically no sickness.
243
Enclosure 5 in No. 202.
DEAR SIR HENRY,
Head-Quarter House, May 26, 1899. In reply to your private letter of this date, asking my views as to my power of holding the entire valley, Sham Chun (as originally proposed), including the town of Nam Tao, with my present garrison, or whether in the event of its being determined to include the valley an additional force will be necessary, I reply that follows. My present garrison is strong enough, though none too strong for the defence
my of Hong Kong proper. I take it that it was intended for the defence of Hong Kong, and that this is its primary aim and object.
views are as
When complications arose in the new territory, and you called on me for military assistance, being otherwise at peace in Hong Kong, I was able to give you that assist- ance. I am still able to give it, and even if it were determined to include the valley of Sham Chun, and to add also the town of Nam Tao (a fresh proposal) I could still do this with my present force, whilst there are no complications threatening Hong Kong. But if complications arose, then I must at once call in the troops.
I do not think it was ever contemplated that this large extension of territory should be permanently garrisoned by the present garrison of Hong Kong. What I understood was, that the Civil Police would look after and administer it. The Civil Police not being so strong as they were thought to be, the military were called in, temporarily (as I understand it) to help them. It is one thing to do this temporarily, and another to do it for good and all. I certainly think that if troops are to be permanently quartered in the various parts of this new territory, then my garrison should be increased. But this does not imply that I think myself for the moment too weak to take and hold the valley, or indeed the town of Nam Tao as well, supposing it is thought wise to hold them.
Believe me, &c.,
W. J. GASCOIGNE.
16384.
No. 203.
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
I have, &c.,
W. J. GASCOIGNE,
Major-General,
Commanding in China and Hong Kong.
(Confidential.)
SIR,
Enclosure 4 in No. 202. PROCLAMATION.
The town of Sham Chun is now British territory, and will therefore be governed by British laws. All property will be respected, and justice in every way meted out to everybody.
Evildoers will be punished, but those who live peaceably will be allowed to follow their usual avocations, in perfect peace.
If any inhabitant has any complaint to make, he has only to ask to see the Officer Commanding the Troops.
The Chinese residents are warned that from henceforth they will pay no taxes to any Chinese officials. If any Chinese officials apply to them for payment of such taxes, they have only to make complaint to the Officer Commanding the Troops, who will see that justice is done them, and that the Chinese officials are punished.
Any labour supplied by the Chinese residents will be paid for by the Officer Com- manding Troops. Supplies of fruit and vegetables may be brought into camp, and they will be all paid for if bought by the troops.
The Viceroy of Canton has no further jurisdiction in this district.
God Bless Queen Victoria.
(Received June 26, 1899.)
[Answered by No. 228.]
Government House, Hong Kong, May 27, 1899.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential despatch of 28th April,* with reference to the complete survey of the new territory.
2. On this subject Mr. Lockhart had seen Mr. Grinlinton at Colombo, and I con- sulted Colonel Elsdale, C.R.E. here, who has had great experience in surveying work in India. Both these gentlemen strongly recommended that a complete survey should be made at once, as being far more economical and satisfactory, and Colonel Elsdale as well as the Director of Public Works recommended that a trained staff should be pro- cured from India.
3. The answer of the Surveyor-General of India has been received by yesterday's mail. He is prepared to send the staff, the cost of which is under the estimate made here. He estimates that the survey will be completed within 12 months of the landing of the party at a cost of $30,559, or less than half the cost as estimated here.
4. I am quite satisfied that it is necessary that a complete survey should be made without delay, as the land question must be approached at once. I understand from Mr. Ormsby that there were no surveyors available in Ceylon, and he and Colonel Els- dale were satisfied that the work would be done most cheaply and expeditiously by getting a trained staff from India accustomed to work together.
I have, &c.,
HENRY A. BLAKE,
Governor, &c.
638
• No. 132.
9 H 1
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
16557.
244
No. 204.
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
(Received June 27, 1899.)
SIR,
(Confidential.)
[Answered by No. 230.]
Government House, Hong Kong, May 27, 1899. I HAVE the honour to enclose copies of various minutes and correspondence enumerated in the Schedule hereto, for your information, as they bear upon the posi- tion in the new territory. They include the correspondence which should have ac- companied my confidential despatch of 13th May.*
I have, &c.,
Enclosure in No. 204. SCHEDULE.
HENRY A. BLAKE,
Governor.