CO129-227 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1886 [6] — Page 559

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

and Park rations are discontent, which is a very different matter. These would permanently affect more than half the Prisoners in Gaol. The change would naturally cause much grumbling and a spark might inflame into an act of violence and insubordination.

I do not consider I could safely introduce these changes of diet, unless I am also armed with the extra powers recommended by the Gaol Commission.

His Excellency will, I trust, understand that I do not wish to throw difficulties in the way of a reform which I have unfeignedly recommended. If ordered by Government, the change can and must be carried out, and may perhaps be carried out without disturbance, but I think it is more likely there may be disturbance; cries of tyranny may arise, followed by a few assaults and acts of violence and attempts to forcibly escape. We must remember that food to a Prisoner is like pay to a mercenary: every interference with custom or supposed rights is liable to end in mutiny.

It will therefore be necessary to take precautions to avoid serious disturbance and bloodshed, particularly considering that most of the Prisoners live in association and have every opportunity of secretly conspiring.

I have, as is my duty in my position, carefully considered what is the best course for me to adopt in every contingency that may happen in Gaol. In the case of a riot owing to the reduction of food, or any other cause of discontent, where the sympathies of all the Prisoners would be with the rioters, prompt action and the instant punishment of the ringleaders appears to me the best and most merciful course. Firing into the mob of rioters is the simplest and most efficacious of measures; an unarmed mob will not stand firearms.

But on the other hand, there are humane hearts...

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and Park rations are discontent, which is a very different matter. These would permanently affect more than half the Prisoners in Gaol. The change would naturally cause much grumbling and a spark might inflame into an act of violence and insubordination. I do not consider I could safely introduce these changes of diet, unless I am also armed with the extra powers recommended by the Gaol Commission. His Excellency will, I trust, understand that I do not wish to throw difficulties in the way of a reform which I have unfeignedly recommended. If ordered by Government, the change can and must be carried out, and may perhaps be carried out without disturbance, but I think it is more likely there may be disturbance; cries of tyranny may arise, followed by a few assaults and acts of violence and attempts to forcibly escape. We must remember that food to a Prisoner is like pay to a mercenary: every interference with custom or supposed rights is liable to end in mutiny. It will therefore be necessary to take precautions to avoid serious disturbance and bloodshed, particularly considering that most of the Prisoners live in association and have every opportunity of secretly conspiring. I have, as is my duty in my position, carefully considered what is the best course for me to adopt in every contingency that may happen in Gaol. In the case of a riot owing to the reduction of food, or any other cause of discontent, where the sympathies of all the Prisoners would be with the rioters, prompt action and the instant punishment of the ringleaders appears to me the best and most merciful course. Firing into the mob of rioters is the simplest and most efficacious of measures; an unarmed mob will not stand firearms. But on the other hand, there are humane hearts...
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2. and Park rations are discontent, which a e a very different matter. These would permanently affect more than half the Prisoner in Gaol . The change would naturally -cause much grumbling and spark might inflame into act of violence and insubordination. I donot consider I could safely. introduce these changes of diet, unles I am also armed with the extra powers recommended by the Gaol Commission : His Excellency will, I treat, understand that I do not wish to throw difficulties in the way of a reform which I have unpeelf recommended. if ordered by myself fordered Government, the change can and unest be carried out, and may perhaps be - carried out without disturbance, but I likely think it is more disturbance ; cries of ta - there may be ta ta, may arise, followed by a few assaults and act of violence and attempto forcibly to escape. We must remember that food to a Prisoner is like pay to a mercenary : every 557 every interference with custom or supposed rights, is liable to end in mutiny. It will therefore be every necessary to take precaution to avoid serious disturbance and blooshed, particularly considering that most of the Prisoners live in association and have have every of secretly conspiring. I have, as is opportunity mny duty in my that Carr happen position, carefully considered what is the best course for me to adopt in every contingency. in Gaol. In the reduction of food, or any cace of a riot owing to other cocxl of discontent, where the sympathies of all- the Prisoners would be with the riders, prompt action and the instant penishment of the ringleaders appears best and ucost. to me the merciful cource Fixing into the mob of rioters is the simplest and most efficacions of there meaus; us unarmed mob will stand mob will stand firearmes . мо But on the other hand tcore humane ttiearts
2026-05-25 03:57:23 · Baseline
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2.

and Park rations

are

discontent, which

a

e a very different matter. These would permanently affect more than half the Prisoner in Gaol . The change would naturally -cause much grumbling and

spark might inflame into act of violence and insubordination.

I donot consider I could safely. introduce these changes of diet, unles I am also armed with the extra powers recommended by the Gaol Commission :

His Excellency will, I treat, understand that I do not wish to throw difficulties

in the way of a reform which I have unpeelf recommended. if ordered by myself

fordered Government, the change

can and unest

be carried out, and may perhaps be - carried out without disturbance, but I

likely

think it is more disturbance ; cries of ta

-

there

may

be

ta ta, may arise, followed by a few assaults and act of violence and attempto forcibly to escape. We must remember that food to a Prisoner is like pay to a mercenary :

every

557

every interference with custom or supposed rights, is liable to end in mutiny. It

will therefore be

every

necessary to take precaution to avoid serious disturbance and blooshed, particularly considering that most of the Prisoners live in association and have

have every

of secretly conspiring.

I have, as is

opportunity

mny duty in my

that

Carr

happen

position, carefully considered what is the best course for me to adopt in every contingency. in Gaol. In the reduction of food, or any

cace

of a riot owing to

other

cocxl

of

discontent, where the sympathies of all- the Prisoners would be with the riders, prompt action and the instant penishment

of the ringleaders appears

best and

ucost.

to me the

merciful cource Fixing into the mob of rioters is the simplest

and most efficacions of there

meaus;

us unarmed mob will stand

mob will stand firearmes .

мо

But on the other hand

tcore

humane

ttiearts

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