CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4] — Page 242

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pirates. Severe punishment will be incurred by any of them who are discovered deriving advantages or scheming to make

a profit out of their employment. Strict regulations will be drawn up so that the Meritorious and those who are use→ less may know that they will respectively be encouraged and punished, and I have also instructed all Independent Department Magistrates and Magistrates to strictly find out the villages where pirates live and to use increased dili- gence to discover and arrest then. Should a case of piracy occure, they are instructed to make no distinction of

boundaries but one and all to use their utmost efforts to

find and arrest the criminals..

Chu, T'ow Shan and that neighbourhood is

the place where the pirates assemble and from whence they

issue forth and to which they return. At that place a

temporary military station has been established and officers

in command of the subordinate officers and soldiers are

stationed there energetically to keep guard. At other

places, the circumstances of each having been: -thoroughly

considered, arrangements have been made for additional

soldiers and braves bi be stationed.

It is perfectly true, as H.E. the Governor

of HongKong remarks, that it is the duty of the Chinese

Government to protect the people and their property, and I

hope, after the reforms how made, matters will gradually

improve.

With respect to the proposal of H.E. the

Governor of HongKong be sent to assist the Chinese troops,

this is undoubtedly a most friendly offer and is kindly

intended. I am most grateful; but now that the increase

of soldiers and vessels on the roads and rivers is being

discussed