CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6] — Page 470

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San Ning, Tung Kun, Tsang Shing and Wai Chow. These rebels had

the intention of approaching Canton City on the 30th. August

(of the last moon) and between 3 and 4 B.M. o'clock (in the

morning) 4 or 5 men who had no fear of death were to use

dynamite and blow up the temple of longevity and kill the

officials assembled therein. This would be a signal to the men

outside the City to put up proclamations, stating that they

would protect the people, and they would raise up their flag, with green characters on a white ground (green representing heaven and white the sun). They intended to carry the rebellion

throughout the various prefectures and districts. They have already collected $180,000 and on two occasions have imported weapons and ammunition. In the 9th. month of last year through the assistance of a European they bought from an Insurance Company over 20 cases of Mauser Rifles and 1,000 Revolvers, which were taken and placed in the Godown of a European Merchant on the Shameen at Canton. On the 6th. day of the 12th. month 3 or 4 thousand Mauser Rifles and 40 or 50 boxes of cartridges were imported into Canton and distributed amongst the various prefectures and districts, and left in charge of

the rebel leaders in those places.

With regard to the Arms and Ammunition stored at Canton, the rebels fearing that they might be dis- covered, between 3 or 4 on the 30th, of the 12th. moon they placed them in coffins took them out of the North Gate and buried them in some hilly ground. The above are the particulars concerning this rising.

The writer has found out by making careful

and secret enquiries, that the rebels in Kwong Sai are in strength, but are composed of ignorant persons, while there in Hongkong are persons of understanding but of little use for fighting