CO129-285 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [9-10] — Page 403

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dation in the Police barracks until suitable arrangements

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could be made in a Chinese friend's house to receive him.

This he gladly accepted.Mr, Cockhurn of our Legation at Pekin came from Shanghai in the S.S."Ballaarat" on his way to England with Kang Yu Wei and has doubtless reported the whole of the circumstances, I refer to this hecause at the risk of going outside my province

I think it right to say that, in my opi-

nion

n Mr. Cockburn has formed too contemptuous an estimate of Kang Yu Wei's projects of reform.

I have little doubt that if the Emperor's plans had been laid more wisely and boldly, and if he had summoned a regiment of soldiers true to him to the palace before act- ing he would have been beforehand with the Dowager Empress and1 have turned the tables on her. Though some of his schemes, such as reform in dress, were absurd and impractical, some were more wise and reasonable, and no one can deny that there is plenty of scope for reform,

I have the honour to he,

sir,

Your most obedient

humble servant,

Mlack

Major-General,

Administering the Government.