CO129-293 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [8-9] — Page 496

Enclosure

C. S. O.

493

29601

RECO Ke 21 OUT AS

C

This letter is a very fair summary of the situation, which is a most trying one for the bulk of the population, and satisfactory only to the robbers of the Triad society and other rowdies, but it contains nothing which has not been already fully reported upon.

Now, however, that the Viceroy of Canton has appealed to us to disperse the robber gangs, I hope that something may be accomplished in checking their depredations in this neighbourhood.

The measures taken a week ago have had a good effect for the time. The main difficulty lies in obtaining reliable information as to the haunts and movements of the Triads, for the people are mostly afraid to bring intelligence, dreading revenge which will surely overtake them should we retire across the river.

The Hong Kong secret police have proved that they can be of the greatest assistance, and I presume that the Honourable Captain Superintendent of Police will continue to furnish me with any intelligence that may be gained by them.

What with the prolonged indecision as to the future of this valley and uncertainty respecting the British frontier, together with terror of the Triads, I am only surprised that so many of the elders and gentry continue to show a friendly spirit towards us.

Things are bad enough now, but when the harvest is gathered in, and water off the fields allowing greater facilities for rapid movements across country; and agricultural labourers idle and with leisure and temptation to join the rowdies; crime is certain to increase.

Mr. Schaub is quite right in saying that the people of Sham Chun