CO129-290 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [1-4] — Page 717

Ane 13 in Mo

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699

Ping Shan, 19th April, 1899, 10.30 p.m.

Your Excellency,

Since writing my first letter to you from here, Col. The O'Gorman has received a secret despatch from the G.O.C. in which he states, "Tell Mr. Lockhart that H.E. the Governor has agreed to leave the whole arrangement of matters entirely in the hands of the Military."

I presume that Your Excellency has authorised the G.O.C. to have this instruction conveyed to me. If so, I regret to be uninstructed as to what my position is to be. Hitherto Col. the O'Gorman and I have co-operated, and the results have, I trust, been satisfactory. I am of opinion that there should be no change in the present arrangements which have resulted so satisfactorily. Of course, if the Military Authorities require labour, they can obtain it as they think best. This has been the course which has been followed hitherto. I leave Col. the O'Gorman to state his opinion of the result of our co-operation hitherto.

Late this evening, Major-Watson R.A.M.C. brought here a letter from the O.C. declaring his intention to land two forces to-day. These are the troops of which we heard rumours this morning. The G.O.C. talks of us moving to Kam Tin to-day. We did so yesterday. It is unfortunate the letter of the G.O.C. was delayed through the launch sent with it returning...