CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12] — Page 554

Endiwa 40

1758

Tapy

for

Tas Setta Blake

K

faridential.

Sir

Government House

10/7/99.

551

I have read the various reports from the

OC Troops at Sham chun with much interest. As the

duration of our occupation of the valley is uncer-

tain I think it advisable that you should know the

exact position of affairs.

2.

As you are aware from the telegrams shown.

to you 1. M.'s Govt. has decided that the Chinese

Govt. shall be called upon to pay an indemnity on

account of the action of the Viceroy previous

to the date of the hoisting of the flag and pending

the payment of the indemnity the Shamchun valley

is to continue to be held by us. The valley is there-

fore at present in Military occupation by 1. M.'s

Forces: & as our civil jurisdiction does not run,

the district is practically under Martial law.

I need not point out to you the great importance

of dealing with the people of the valley with prudence

& moderation- for they have been so dealt with

since our troops advanced into the valley. I would

suggest that you instruct the various village

elders & gentry to resume their local jurisdiction

under the control of the 0.0.Troops, & make them

responsible for the peace & good order of their

villages. As armed robberieshave occured, the

population should not be disarmed as the result would

be that the well disposed would lose their means

of defence & the bad characters would conceal their

arms for illegitimate use. The junks & boats from

Hongkong should be searched for arus, as we have

undertaken

R.R.

er General Gascoigne C.M.G.

major

&C

i