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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
C.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
commencement.
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propaganda stirring up national feeling and engendering fear, replacement was impossible on a very large scale, at least at the Nevertheless, Dr. Tso, with his volunteer helpers, passed hundreds into employment in the teeth of opposi- tion and danger. Dr. Tso's work compelled the admiration of all; his untiring energy was accompanied by a calm courage at This a time when an example of courage was most needed. control must always be a post of difficulty and even danger when strike- feeling runs high, for its occupant is conspicuous as a breaker," and must expect to incur the hate of those whose object it is to paralyse the community.
Cable Censorship.
22. The Cable Censorship is in charge of the Hon. Mr. D. W. Tratman, assisted by Mr. S. M. Churn, and many able Chinese volunteer workers who, I understand, have done splendid work. Their duties are burdensome, and entail a great sacrifice of time. The men work daily, but change hours once in a few days so as to distribute the night work fairly. It is a matter of some grati- fication to me that my selection of the senior men for this work has proved so fortunate.
Postal Censorship.
23. The Postal Censorship has been and is being conducted by Mr. M. J. Breen, Postmaster-General, assisted by about fifty Chinese merchants, including several Justices of the Peace. It is the only one of our organisation in which some are working More than conspicuously well, and others very indifferently.
once it has been proposed to abandon the censorship on account of the delay it causes in delivery of mails, but it has always been concluded that the censorship should be retained as a deterrent to intimidation by post, though letters should be passed more freely.
Newspaper Censorship.
24. During the early part of the strike some of the Chinese newspapers (after they had resumed issue) published from time to time news and comments which were considered by the Govern- In con- ment to be detrimental to the interests of the Colony. sequence a Censorship was instituted under the Secretary for Chinese Affairs who has been very ably assisted by Mr. Lau Tsz-ping, Mr. Li Yik-mui, Mr. Lo Chung-kue and Mr. Wong Tak-kwong. This work entails late hours and severe labour, but has nevertheless been done most cheerfully and efficiently. The Kung Sheung Yat Po" devolves on duty of censoring the Mr. H. K. Hung, to whose valuable services reference will be found in para. 59.
25. Until the Government invoked their aid and co-operation, English newspapers here had been rather a hindrance to us. They frequently published information calculated to disturb the minds of the public, for some of their comments and news, while harm- less to English readers, had unfortunate tendencies when trans- I cannot say that lated into Chinese in the local newspapers. they do not now err in this respect occasionally.
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Telephone Censorship.
26. As the telephone was largely used at the beginning for intimidation, the Government had eventually to put two officers at the Central Exchange to detect the source of such intimidation. and subsequently they detailed six Chinese volunteer workers for the duty. But the mischief had already been done; and the If a telephone services of these men were of not much avail. censorship is to be of service in future, it should be established immediately there is danger of an outbreak, since for some reason many Chinese servants appear to find messages coming mysteriously over the telephone even more terrifying than danger threatened by someone whom they can see.
Restrictions on Chinese entering the Colony.
27. Before the total interruption of sea-communication with Canton, some labourers and others came down from Canton by steamers, and a strict system of search was instituted here to The trains keep out agitators, idlers, and smugglers of arms. have also been subjected to these searches. Though the wisdom of the measure has been questioned by some, it has undoubtedly shut out large numbers of undesirables.
Volunteer Defence Corps.
28. A few days after the mobilisation of the Volunteer Defence Corps some Chinese joined that Force; and although their number was not large, the effect on the enemy was quite dispro- portionate. It showed a spirit totally unexpected by him, and it had a tremendous moral effect on the whole Chinese community. The formation of the Special Police Reserve, which was joined by many Chinese, was the only factor which prevented a large number from joining this Corps.
Special Police Reserve.
29. At the outbreak of the strike, the Hon. Mr. Chow Shou-son and I approached Mr. J. M. Wong, Mr. Wong Kwong-tin and Mr. B. Wong Tape, who had been in charge of the Chinese Sec- tion of the Police Reserve during the Great War, and asked them to embody this Reserve, and recruit new members. This they readily promised to do, going at once to the Secretary for The command of the Chinese Affairs to offer their services. Chinese contingent fell to the indefatigable Mr. Fred Mow Fung who, with the assistance of Dr. S. W. Tso and the three gentle- All these men mentioned, soon succeeded in enrolling 217 men. men honestly believed themselves to be in personal danger, for threats were constantly uttered; and they were not all armed even It is when on duty, while all were unarmed when off duty. courage of this type, in defying dangers before their reality or unreality can be determined, which was so conspicuously lacking in other quarters, and made their example all the more creditable.
30. The non-Chinese Section under Mr. M. H., Turner ren- dered equally valuable services to the community.
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