www...
strment.
This brought about a complete change in the aspect and demeanour of the people. Those who had been most prominent in coming forward became sullen, morose, and in some cases, even actively hostile, probably with a view to saving their own lives or property in the event of our withdrawal.
His Excellency handed over the administration to my charge, and both he and I recognized that the position was one of extreme difficulty.
We were only in temporary military occupation and therefore could scarcely assume the civil internal administration of the country; and yet if outrages even by Chinese on Chinese were permitted to go unchecked, the evil might easily become a source of danger to the troops of occupation.
The Chinese civil administration, such as it was, had fled at our approach and to make it worse, the district in the best of times has a bad reputation. So much is this the case that only last year a Chinese Admiral arrived in this neighbourhood with an armed force to put down the violence of the district. He beheaded many and drove away many of the Triad Society, who by all accounts are responsible for most of the outrages and violence committed in China.
On our occupation, many of these ruffians, finding that the Chinese administration of law was in temporary chaos, returned to wreak their vengeance on those who had previously denounced them. All this increased the difficulty of the situation. I appointed Major T.J. Prendergast, Royal Engineers, to the command of the camp, and to the general administration of the neighbourhood and I desire to bring...
Page 59
www...
strment.
his brought about & complete change in the aspect
nd demeanour of the people. Those who had been most pro- ! minent in coming forward, became sullen, morose, and in some cases, even actively hostile, probably with a view to saving their own lives or property in the event of our
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xcellency to love nor hand d ovo administration to my charge, and both he and I recognized that te position was one of extreme difficulty.
We were only in temporary military occupation and
therefore could scarcely assume t e civil internal admini- stration of the country; and yet if outrages even hy Chìn- ese on Chinese were permitted to go unchecked, the evil
might oasily become a source of danger to the troops of
occupation.
•
The Chinese civil administration, such as it was, had
Ale at our approach and to make it worse, the district in
the best of times has a bad roputation. So much is this
the case
that only last year a Chinesa Admiral arrived
in this neighbourhood, with an armod force to put down the
violence of the district. e boheaded many and drove away
many of the Tryad "ociety, who by all accounts are respon-
sible for most of the outrages and violence committed in
China,
On our occupation, many of these ro klies, finding tha
to Chinese arministration of la was in temporary chaos,
returned to rock their vengeance on those who had provio- usly denounced thm. All this increased the difficulty of the situation. I apointed "ajor 7.J.. Prendergast, Roy:1
ngineers, to the command of the camp, and to the general administration of the neighbourhood and I desire to bring
59
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