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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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TPERFIC.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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* Humber" is to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible, leaving "Peacock Tolo Harbour. You are to furnish me with a full report of all your proceedings.

This memorandum is to be passed on to the Senior Officer present when "Humber"

leaves.

SIE,

F. POWELL,

Commodore.

Tai-po-hu, April 19, 1899.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Memo. of 18th April, just delivered by launch, and beg to report that in complying with the urgent signal of the Officer Commanding Troops, I was firmly convinced of the necessity of rendering as- sistance in taking charge of the base camp which had been entirely denuded by troops, and left unprotected.

I will take care that your order with reference to a written application will be car- ried out, although at present it is only done by signal from Officer Commanding Troops. I did not take the men off to the ship at night, as it was feared that during the darkness a fresh attack would be made. Every precaution is being taken regarding the health of the officers and men, and I have erected fresh tents on the high ground around the flagstaff, which is in every way a healthy and sanitary place.

I have the honour to report that in accordance with sailing orders I left Hong Kong at 5.15 a.m. on the 17th instant, and arrived here at 10.30 a.m. All stores were landed by 3.30 p.m.

:

On account of lateness of hour I decided to leave daylight Tuesday morning. During landing of stores the enemy appeared on the ridges and hills, and opened fire with their "jingalls," but were unable to range the camp.

Major-General Gascoigne sent out the troops with four field guns and drove them back without very much trouble, under the command of Captains Berger and Simmons, who continued the pursuit until a late hour-5 p.m.--when messengers arrived from Captain Berger asking for reinforcements.

Major General Gascoigne at that time had left camp in the "Miner," leaving Colonel O'Gorman in command, who, sending out all the remaining available troops in camp, signalled to me asking for immediate assistance of the Naval Brigade.

I landed as soon as possible from "Humber" and "Peacock" with the necessary officers, taking command myself, and reporting and placing myself under the orders of Colonel O'Gorman when landed.

Up to 10 p.m. occasional messages came in reporting that the troops had driven everything before them, and that Captain Berger intended to bivouac for the night, but required more ammunition and food. This by request of Colonel O'Gorman was to be sent at daybreak next morning, but Captain Berger after in his message evidently de- cided to alter his plans. He returned himself with about 200 men, leaving 100 men in charge of his position.

After consulting with Mr. Lockhart and Colonel O'Gorman it was decided to return immediately to the front, Colonel O'Gorman accompanying and taking command, requesting me to form a line of communication and to forward the ammunition and provisions for the troops.

At 4 p.m., Tuesday, I despatched Lieutenant Hillman, Mr. Johnson, Acting- Boatswain, 20 seamen, 10 marines, Dr. Levinge, 5 stretcher party and 20 coolies.

From message received from Lieutenant Hillman, he arrived at Pat Heung at 6.45 a.m. to-day, reporting himself to Colonel O'Gorman, who requested him to form part of the attacking force on a large village about 6 miles off.

In the meantime I received a further message from Colonel O'Gorman, if possible,

to forward a further supply of ammunition and food.

I therefore despatched another escort of 10 seamen and 3 P.O.'s., under Lieutenant Snowdon and Mr. Dawes, Gunner (" Peacock") with instructions to report himself to Colonel O'Gorman, and if not required at the front to return and take charge of the new main camp, which is being constructed three miles from here at She Han.

A subsequent message received by signal from Major-General Gascoigne to push on with new camp, I despatched 10 seamen and 2 P.O.'s under Mr. McGill, boatswain, with a large number of coolies and camp equipment to erect the camp under the direc- tions of Major Koe.

I have remaining at Flag Staff Camp, Tai-po-hu, 20 seamen, 7 marines, and 25 Hong Kong Regiment, under Subadar Major.

Colonel O'Gorman has arranged that if everything is satisfactory at the front, to

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up his headquarters at the new camp, with the major portion of his troops, with guns, leaving a small portion here.

I propose that on the return of the Naval Brigade to the base to re-embark and proceed to Hong Kong in compliance with your orders.

I have signalled to you several times through the Hill Station, but owing to clouds, I am not sure if they passed through.

The enclosed three messages received from Major-General Gascoigne, Mr. Lock- hart, and Colonel O'Gorman for the Governor, received with the request that they might be signalled across, but as the station is enveloped in mist and they appear important, I beg to enclose them to you.

Commodore F. Powell, C.B., Hong Hong.

I have, &c.,

H. J. DAVISON,

Commander, H.M.S." Humber."

Pingshan, April 20, 1899.

I AM exceedingly obliged to you for so readily acceding to my request for assist ance by landing a naval force to re-inforce my troops on Taipo Flagstaff Hill. This assistance was absolutely necessary because I found myself compelled to send out parties during the evening of the 17th instant, in charge of convoys of food, blankets, and ammunition to the troops engaged in the Lam Tsun Valley, thus leaving my base prac- tically unprotected in case a large force of the enemy should make an attack on it.

I found myself compelled next day to move to Sheung Tsun, thus further burden- ing you with a prolonged charge of your base camp.

Had you not so promptly responded to my signal, I should have been unable to send reserve ammunition to Captain Berger's force, and though, as events turned out, he did not require it, I should have felt uncomfortable in the knowledge that he had not an ample supply.

I am exceeding grateful to you for what you have done on the 17th instant, and subsequent dates; Lieutenant Hillman brought out a convoy where supplies were much needed.

Again I thank you for your assistance, which was of the very greatest value to my force.

To Captain Davison, R.N.,

N: P. O'GORMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Field Force. Commanding H.M.S. "Humber," and Naval Force Tai-po-hu. P.S.-I am returning 75 men, which must render the base camp absolutely safe, and the need of your continuing to occupy it therefore now ceases.

N. P. O'G.

(Secret.)

THE COMMODORE-IN-CHARGE,

Hong Kong, April 18, 1899.

I HAVE been directed by His Excellency the General Officer Commanding, who is absent at a Council Meeting, to request that you will kindly co-operate with him in a surprise expedition which he proposes to send out to-night as explained verbally to you. Shortly, the assistance he would desire from you would be, that you would kindly supply six small parties from the Royal Navy, consisting of six in number in each to take charge of six launches which will be carrying troops, the whole under command of a naval officer, who will receive from the General Officer Commanding detailed in- structions as to what will be required from him.

His Excellency would also seek for the assistance of a torpedo boat destroyer to oo- operate with with the troops who may be operating on shore. This officer will receive a copy of the plan of operations of the troops for his guidance if you will kindly direct him to come for the same. The hour at which the above assistance from the Royal Navy will be required will be settled as soon as you have decided as to the hour it will be ad- visable to start from here so that the tide may suit.

S. 8. LONG,

D.A.A.G.B.

Captain, D.A.A.G.B. ^\\\

April 18, 1899.

In reply to your communication of to-day, I beg to acquaint you that I have de- tailed Lieutenant W. E. Goodenough, H.M.S." Hermione," one warrant officer, four

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midshipmen, 36 seamen, and four signalmen, to act as requested by His Excellency the General.

H.M.S."Fame" has also been detailed for the service mentioned in the last para- graph of your letter.

SIR,

F. POWELL,

Commodore. H.M.S." Hermione," Hong Kong, April 20, 1899. I HAVE the honour to report to you that in compliance with an order received from Commodore Powell, I placed myself under the orders of Major-General Gascoigne on Tuesday, April 18.

I received orders from him that he wished me to assist in transporting some troops to Deep Bay by water.

I took with me a party of one warrant officer, four midshipmen, and 42 men, armed, who I formed into boats' crews for the six steam launches which carried the troops and one Maxim gun.

The troops embarked at the Ordnance Wharf at 8 p.m., on the 18th instant. and at 8.30 p.m. I left and proceeded to Deep Bay dropping two launches at Tau Lam Chun for the men in them to be disembarked at that point.

At 12.30, when some two and a half miles short of Ngan How, the point at which it was wished to make the disembarkation, I took the ground, but was enabled to warn the boats astern in time to prevent them doing the same, and with assistance of the launch in charge of Mr. Neild, midshipman, I got off in 20 minutes, and proceeded. At about 1.30 a.m. I anchored off what I took to be Ngan How, but on landing with Mr. Landale, Mr. Potts of Hong Kong, who had frequently landed in Deep Bay before, I discovered I had mistaken the place, and had not gone far enough up the Bay.

The disembarkation of the troops which had commenced was stonned, and we weighed and proceeded to Ngan How, which place was reached at 3.15. I immediately landed with the same two gentlemen, and finding the landing was practicable, the troops were disembarked.

Owing to the shallowness of the water, it was necessary to anchor about 14 miles from the shore, with the result that it was six o'clock before the last man reached the shore.

I then proceeded to Castle Peak Bay, and at 10 a.m. embarked the troops and left that place at 11.45.

directed three launches to return to Hong Kong with their troops, while I took the other three with a detachment under Major Morris, R.A., and landed them at Cheang Wan Bay at 1.30 p.m.

I then returned to Hong Kong.

I have, &c.,

WILLIAM C. GOODENOUGH,

Lieutenant.

Captain G. A. Callaghan, R.N.,

H.M.S." Hermione."

Submitted to the Commodore in Charge,

Captain, "Hermione."

G. A. CALLAGHAN,

April 20, 1899.

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Sent in boats to assist in embarkation at 9 a.m.; embarked the General and Staff at 10 a.m., and returned to Hong Kong, arriving at 11 a.m.

I have, &c.,

Commodore Francis Powell, C.B.,

Hong Kong.

ROGER KEYES,

Lieutenant and Commander.

SIR,

Headquarter House, Hong Kong, April 20, 1899. I HAVE the honour to report for your information the excellent service rendered me by Lieutenant W. Goodenough on the night of Tuesday, April 18th, in carrying out the very difficult task allotted to him; his plans for the control of the several launches conveying the troops, unaccustomed to combined action of any sort, were admirable, and the long and arduous work of landing the men in the dark at a spot almost if not quite unknown to him even by daylight, was carried out by him with the utmost despatch. I have very great pleasure in recording my high opinion of his tact and judgment. He threw his whole energy into his work, standing for some hours in water nearly up to his waist, superintending the disembarkation of the different units with the most cheerful willingness.

In the morning Lieutenant Goodenough completed his service by re-embarking part of the troops and landing them at Hong Kong.

The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Keyes, H.M.S. "Fame," also gave me the greatest satisfaction; he carried out all my orders to the letter, and was in a position to co-operate with me at the right moment had it been necessary. I beg to convey to you my sincere thanks for your help which enabled me to carry out success- fully a most difficult operation.

I have, &c.,

W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General,

Commanding Troops, China and Hong Kong.

To Commodore F. Powell, C.B., H.M.S. "Tamar."

15673.

No. 191.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received June 19, 1899.)

SIR,

Foreign Office June 17, 1899. I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying copies of a despatch as marked in the margin relating to the negotiations concerning the distur- Mr. Bax- bances consequent upon the Kowloon Extension.

Enclosure in No. 191.

Ironside.

I am, &c.,

FRANCIS BERTIÉ,

No. 110 of 30 April.

SIR,

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.

H.M.S." Fame," Hong Kong, April 19, 1899.

I HAVE the honour to report that, in compliance with your order of 18th instant, I slipped at midnight, and proceeded towards Lye Mun Pass, extinguished all lights and returned through Hong Kong Harbour to Tai-lam-Chun, communicated with the launches landing troops and anchored under the high land east of village at 1.45 a.m. Weighed at 4.15 a.m., and stood towards Castle Peak Bay, keeping well out of sight under cover of the land until I could get no further without exposing ship to view, re- mained there until 6 a.m., when I stood in towards Castle Peak, keeping under castern shore, but it was evident that the hostile natives had deserted the positions they were said to have held the previous day, so I proceeded into Bay. Anchored to await arrival of troops.

Mr. BAX-IRONSIDE to the MARQUESS OF Salisbury. (Received June 12.)

(No. 110. Confidential.) MY LORD,

Peking, April 30, 1899.

IN continuation of my despatch, No, 93, of the 15th instant, I have the honour to report that on the 11th instant a telegram arrived from the Governor of Hong Kong informing me that he had received copy of a despatch from the Canton Viceroy to the Consul at Canton desiring the Consul to inform Sir H. Blake that he, the Viceroy, would not hand over the new territory on the 17th, because the Customs must be removed. This I took to mean that the Viceroy objected strongly to the removal of the Customs.

Sir Henry Blake asked me to have immediate instructions sent to the Viceroy to hand over on the date arranged, i.e., on the 17th, on which date he would assume possession. I addressed a note to the Yamên in this sense, and requested an audience as soon as possible. This was fixed for the 13th instant.