CO129-306 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [8-9] — Page 721

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dled with Secret Societies, the ramifications of which

I do not believe any foreigner has mastered, but which

exercise great power over their members: and again,

these Societies may be set in motion by external influen-

ces antagonistic to British interests. These remarks

would not apply to Singapore or Ceylon or Mauritius, but

here, in a garrison on the very borders of China, it be-

hoves us to be very careful that every unit of the defen-

sive force can be depended upon unreservedly.

5. I am therefore of opinion that the Chinese Regi-

ment cannot be employed as part of the garrison of Hong

Kong without importing a possible element of danger that

had better be avoided. I have confidentially consulted

Colonel Brown, R. E., at present Commanding the Troops,

whose views on the subject agree with mine.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

your most obedient

humble servant,

Stung Robinson

Governor.