CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12] — Page 207

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and requested a private interview at which he might lay before me in detail an account of his actions in Canton and the reasons which had prompted them and which had led to his flight. I attach a brief account of this interesting interview.

On the 11th. it was reported to me that the

Chinese hed decided to keep a universal holiday on the 13th. and to have another orgy of crackers in order to celebrate the secession of Canton to the Revolutionary faction, and the establishment of a provisional Covernment. I discussed the matter with the Colonial Secretary, Registrar-General and the two Chinese Kembers of the Legislative Council and I attach a précis of the interview. In brief I declined "to wink at it" as had been suggested. On the other hand I said I could not give officiel sanction to a celebration of a partially effective revolution, while the Central Authority with whom we had Treaty relations remained ostensibly in power. I recognised, however, that the real cause of rejoicing was that the terrible bloodshed which had been anticipated had been narrowly averted, and if it was made clear in the Chinese press and by other means that I understood that this was the reason of the rejoicing (since so large a proportion of the Chinese here have relatives and property in Canton) I would not take any steps to forcibly put a stop to the demonstration if it was conducted in on orderly and was strictly limited to the hours of 12 noon to 2 p.m. On this occasion it is stated in the "Hongkong Daily Press" of the 14th. November, that $100,000 worth of crackers were expended, but all was done in strict accordance with the conditions I had laid down.

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During the course of this last week I had

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seen in the press, and had heard from other sources that delegates from the new Canton Covernment had come to Hongkong to

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seek assistance from the leading Chinese here both in advice and

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ity informed in money. It was reported that about a million dollars had been

off at subscribed by longkong merchants, and I was aware that several

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id of labels.

well known Hongkong Chinese were included in the new

Government