CO129-301 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [9-12] — Page 250

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Paraphrase of a telegram from Governor Sir H. A. Blake to Mr.

Chamberlain. D.7.20

}p.m.

R.7.3 p.m. 25th October, 1900.

248

In continuation of my telegram of the 14th instant.

several engagements between Chinese troops and rebels have taken

place with severe loss on both sides. On the 19th, 20th and 21st

instants villagers and troops 4,000 in number attacked rebels and

killed 400 of them. Villagers were however defeated with loss of

8,000 men, and their villages were burnt. Reinforcements of

troops then arrived and a further battle took place of which no

particulars have yet been received. Admiral Ho with 3,000 men

has returned to Wong-Kong leaving 600 at Pang Shan. Since the

rebels have retired beyond his jurisdiction he has apparently given

up all intention of advancing. I have received to-day translation

or a letter to British Consul at Canton from the Acting Viceroy

in which he states that "rebellion has broken out in six places

and that lack of munitions of war is unavoidable He asks if I

would allow a quantity of arms to be purchased for use against

the rebels. This is a question for Her Majesty's Government to

decide: but the Acting Viceroy could obtain his arms from the

Chinese arsenal at Poochow or at Shanghai. I am informed that

this outbreak was caused by a discovery of arms by the authori-

ties, and that it was premature; but that a reform rebellion is

contemplated in all the provinces south of the Yangtse. Meanwhile

anti-foreign placards are being posted up in Northern Kwangtung.

If either the Boxers or the Reform party get possession of Canton

there will be chaos for a time, and foreign interests will be en-

dangered.But unless there is direct foreign intervention in the

interests of the Manchu dynasty, I think it is not improbable that the rebels will prove too strong for the present Government.

I am told

but I cannet vouch for the authority, that if any foreign.

power would promise reform, and if their personal safety were as-

jured, the rebels would return to their villages and abandon

rebellion.