315
314
to offer resistance. I fear that the men had had a long, hot, and trying march, but they appeared to be perfectly fresh and contented. I have only therefore to express my thanks for the assistance so cheerfully given. I have mentioned in my report to the War Office
the great help I have received, not only on this but on several other occasions lately, from Her Majesty's Navy.
I
have, &c.,
W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General, Commanding in China and Hong Kong.
List of Enclosures to No. 283.
1. Col. O'Gorman to G. O. C. in China and H. K.
6/6/99.
2. Letter from Rev. M. Schaub to 0. C. F. F. F., enclosing translation of a
pamphlet put up in Pan Tin. 5/6/99.*
3. Letter from Rev. M. Schaub to 0. C. F. F. F.
6/6/99."
4:
Ditto
ditto.
24/6/99.
5.
Ditto
ditto.
27/6/99.
6.
Ditto
ditto.
1/7/99.
Ditto
ditto.
4/7/99.
8. From O. C. F. F. F. to G. O. C., with proclamation enclosed.
6/7/99.
། ། ། ། ། །
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
£2804.
No. 233.
GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
(Confidential.)
SIE,
(Received August 21, 1899.)
Government House, Hong Kong, July 20, 1899. REFERRING to my telegram of 6th July, on the subject of the appointment of Major Somerville to take political charge of the Sham Chun Valley now occupied by our troops, and of your reply of 8th July,f I have the honour to report that, while I cannot say that I consider such an appointment absolutely necessary, I do consider it very desirable.
2. I enclose copies of seven letters written by the Rev. Mr. Schaub, a German Missionary at Li Long, north of Sham Chun Valley, to the Officer Commanding the troops there. Also three communications from the Officer Commanding to the General, and a copy of a proclamation issued by Captain Rowcroft on his own initiative.
3. It is evident that for some reason the temper of the people of the valley has changed completely since the latter part of June. Whether this change has been brought about by the feeling that the valley will probably be handed back to China, or by anything in the conduct of the Indian troops quartered there, I cannot say, but the attitude of open antagonism may affect not alone the country to the north, but the inhabitants of the valleys to the south, in the leased areas.
4. I enclose a cutting from a local paper of the 17th instant, showing the unsettled state of the Tung Kun district, which is closely allied to the district of Sham Chun Valley. And the Supreme Court is mainly engaged during the present Session in trying cases of murder, and of armed robbery from the leased ares. I consider that it would be very desirable to have an official other than the Officer in Command of troops, whose duty it would be to take charge of valley, hear and determine complaints, possibly against the troops, smooth over difficulties, and keep me fully informed of the proceedings in the valley, and the state of feeling in the district.
5. So far as I can gather, the position adopted at Peking with reference to the incidents of 15th to 20th April, and the occupation of Kowloon and Sham Chun Valley in that they are entirely local matters to be settled by the Viceroy. While at Canton the Viceroy is unmoved, and will not pay the indemnity demanded. The question will therefore have to be decided before long whether we shall hand over the valley or continue to occupy it. If the latter, the occupation must be legalised. At present the valley is derelict, paying no taxation, absolved from civil control, and day by day approaching more nearly a state of anarchy. It will not be creditable to us, nor will it be conducive to the peaceful settling down of the people in the leased area, if this state of affairs is indefinitely prolonged, and I confess that I am anxious to see the matter settled one way or another. In the meantime I cannot close my eyes to the possible danger of leaving large population under the exclusive control of a possibly junior military officer. Had I sent a political officer there the expense might have been collected from the district.
I have, &c..
HENRY A. BLAKE,
Governor. P.S.-Since writing this despatch I have received the petition, a copy of which I enclose. I know nothing of the occurrence.-H. A. R.
SIR,
9. From O. C. F. F. to Chief Staff Officer. 8/7/99.
10. Rev. M. Schaub to O. C. F. F. F. 7/7/99.
11. H. E. the Governor to G. O. C. 10/7/99.
12. Telephone message, O. C. F. F. F. to C. S. O. 10/7/99.
13. G. O. C. to H. E. the Governor, enclosing two telephone messages. 12/7/99.
14. Extract from private letter from Major Prendergast, R.E., to Major
Long, D.A.A.G.
15. Extract from "Daily Press." 16. Precis of Cheung Hok's petition.
17/7/99.
Enclosures in No. 235.
(1).
To GOVERNING OFFICER Commanding China and Hong Kong.
Camp, Sheung Po, June 6, 1899.
I ENCLOSE for your Excellency's information copies of some letters received by me from Mr. Schaub, a missionary in the Lilong district, also a proclamation in Chinese, and rough translation of it by Mr. Schaub, Perhaps it would be well to have the proclamation again translated by an educated Chinaman.
Within the last few days I have visited several of the elders and gentry of the neighbourhood. in their temples, endeavouring to ascertain from them the feelings of the people. They all declare that they themselves and the people are quite happy under British rule. To day I visited Sham Chun, having sent a messenger to acquaint the elders of my intention to come to their city. I was received with great honour, fireworks were sent off, and a large number of the gentry assembled in the temple to welcome me. All stated that they were glad to be British subjects, that the people were gratified by the treatment accorded to them by us, that all goods purchased, labour, &c., have been paid for, and they have no complaints to make about our administration. They promised that should any disturbance arise at or near this district they will inform me of it at once. That now absolute peace prevails.
I mention these matters to show that the rumours about rising in this and the neighbouring district of Un-long are most unlikely to be realised. I for one do not believe that any rising of anything approaching a serious nature will take place.
Undoubtedly some evil disposed people did try to stir up the populace north of our boundary, but this was done by them when under the impression that British troops would invade their territory; this fear no longer exists and consequently the attempt has failed.
The rioters will have to be settled with somehow and the ringleaders will be taught a salutary lesson not be to again "hoist with their own petard." I see that Mr. Schaub states that the missionaries expect help from the British Government whenever they may be in real danger. I had not heard that such a promise had been made and should be glad to be furnished with instructions in case Mr. Schaub "would write to me."
Perhaps some measures might be taken to suppress the inflammatory seal of the Graduate.
I have, &c.,
W. O'GORMAN, Lieut. Col. Commanding F. F. F.
• No. 211.
† No. 213.
• See Enclosures in No. 215.