ཧྥུ
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556
were sharp enough to put themselves, when in custody, in the hands of clever lawyers in Hongkong, who were quick enough to demand under what law these men were to be dealt with. And the Chinese authorities who were appealed to over and over again to receive and deal with their own people by their own law, put off the matter with one excuse after another, and to this day have never really faced the matter. The sole punishments which were found to be of any effect, were by quartering a few men in any troublesome village or town, and making the place pay for their maintenance. I mention all this at such length because otherwise, as things have gone peaceably and quietly since our occupation, it might not be realised how difficult the task was, and how much tact was requisite to prevent trouble which might easily have caused the intervention of H.M's Government. To Major Prendergast, therefore, is due the credit of this, and he brings before me the names of Captain Rowcroft of the Hongkong Regiment and of Lt. Peiniger of the Hongkong Singapore Batt: R.A.
Major Prendergast states that both these Officers rendered him most valuable assistance. I propose to forward
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157
ཧྥུ
#
556
were sharp enough to put themselves, when in custody, in
the hands of clever lawyers in Hongkong, who were quick
enough to demand under what law these men were to be
dealt with. And the Chinese authorities who were appealed
to over and over again to receive and deal with their
own people by their own law, put off the matter with one
excuse after another, and to this day have never really
faced the matter. The sole punishments which were found
to be of any effect, were by quartering a few men in any
troublesome village or town, and making the place pay
for their maintenance, I mention all this at such length
because otherwise as things have gone peaceably and
quietly since our occupation, it might not be realised how
difficult the task was, and how much tact was requisite
to prevent trouble which might easily have caused the
intervention of H.M's Government. To Major Prendergast
therefore is due the credit of this, and he brings before
me the names of Captain Rowcroft of the Hongkong Regiment
and of Lt. Peinigerof the Hongkong Singapore Batt: R.A.
Major Prendergast states that both these Officers
rendered him most valuable assistance. I propose to forward
#
157
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