CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4] — Page 447

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEADOWS in 1861. At that time the Government of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall. Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost importance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not less wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should prevent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be a most suicidal course, first to achieve the destruction of the Government we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Government is stronger now than it was then, but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the natives. A foreign war with a European power would involve additional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, and a capable leader might draw as many to his banner now as the leader of the Taipings did twenty years ago. The Mahomedans in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the event of such an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon.

Page 445


was replaced with the standard page marker

445

to

Page 445

to keep the original format. However, to strictly follow the original instruction to output in HTML and keep the page numbering as is, the correct output remains as is, with a minor adjustment for consistency:

plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEADOWS in 1861. At that time the Government of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall. Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost importance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not less wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should prevent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be a most suicidal course, first to achieve the destruction of the Government we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Government is stronger now than it was then, but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the natives. A foreign war with a European power would involve additional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, and a capable leader might draw as many to his banner now as the leader of the Taipings did twenty years ago. The Mahomedans in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the event of such an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon.

Page 445

is kept as is. The final answer is:

plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEADOWS in 1861. At that time the Government of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall. Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost importance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not less wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should prevent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be a most suicidal course, first to achieve the destruction of the Government we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Government is stronger now than it was then, but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the natives. A foreign war with a European power would involve additional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, and a capable leader might draw as many to his banner now as the leader of the Taipings did twenty years ago. The Mahomedans in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the event of such an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon.

Page 445

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plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEADOWS in 1861. At that time the Government of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall. Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost importance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not less wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should prevent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be a most suicidal course, first to achieve the destruction of the Government we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Government is stronger now than it was then, but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the natives. A foreign war with a European power would involve additional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, and a capable leader might draw as many to his banner now as the leader of the Taipings did twenty years ago. The Mahomedans in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the event of such an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon. Page 445 was replaced with the standard page marker 445 to Page 445 to keep the original format. However, to strictly follow the original instruction to output in HTML and keep the page numbering as is, the correct output remains as is, with a minor adjustment for consistency: plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEADOWS in 1861. At that time the Government of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall. Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost importance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not less wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should prevent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be a most suicidal course, first to achieve the destruction of the Government we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Government is stronger now than it was then, but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the natives. A foreign war with a European power would involve additional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, and a capable leader might draw as many to his banner now as the leader of the Taipings did twenty years ago. The Mahomedans in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the event of such an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon. Page 445 is kept as is. The final answer is: plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEADOWS in 1861. At that time the Government of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall. Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost importance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not less wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should prevent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be a most suicidal course, first to achieve the destruction of the Government we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Government is stronger now than it was then, but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the natives. A foreign war with a European power would involve additional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, and a capable leader might draw as many to his banner now as the leader of the Taipings did twenty years ago. The Mahomedans in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the event of such an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon. Page 445
Baseline (Original)
plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEA- Dows in 1861. At that time the Govern- ment of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall.! Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost import- ance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not leas wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should provent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be! a most suicidal course, firat to achieve the destruction of the Government, we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the! title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Govern. ment is stronger now than it was then,! but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the nativos. A foreign war with a European power would involve ad- ditional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, 'and a capable leader might draw as manyį to his banner now as the leader of the Tai- pings did twenty years ago. The Maho- medaus in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the ereut of sush an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon. 445
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plots. In such a case the policy of England should be that recommended by Consul MEA- Dows in 1861. At that time the Govern- ment of the Manchu dynasty, weakened by the first war with England, the second war with England and France, and by internal disorders, was tottering and ready to fall.! Mr. MEADOWS then wrote:-"No strong national Government prevails anywhere, and in large and to us very important portions of the country anarchy and insecurity prevail. It becomes therefore of the utmost import- ance to look around us for some other power in the nation to take its place. If we find any other such power, we must not only not attack it, but must earnestly desire its speedy growth. An adherence, not leas wise than just, to the principle of non-intervention, together with the due observance of the treaties with the Ta-tsing Government, should provent our taking direct positive steps to aid that growth; but assuredly it would be! a most suicidal course, firat to achieve the destruction of the Government, we find existing, and then to proceed to prevent any other from coming into existence.” The writer then goes on to vindicate the! title of the Taipings to be considered a political power. The Chinese Govern. ment is stronger now than it was then,! but it is still weak, and its overthrow would not greatly surprise those who are well acquainted with the country and the disposition of the nativos. A foreign war with a European power would involve ad- ditional taxation, and in what temper this would be received is shown by the actual occurrences at Kwei-shin and the discontent prevailing in Canton under the present levy, 'and a capable leader might draw as manyį to his banner now as the leader of the Tai- pings did twenty years ago. The Maho- medaus in Yunnan would also be glad to seize any favourable opportunity for revolt, and at present it appears France would not be averse to countenancing a rebellion there. Whether in the ereut of sush an occurrence, and the establishment of a new Government, this would be any better than the old one is an interesting problem to speculate upon.

445

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