CO129-427 - Public Offices - 1915 — Page 240

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5.185. (118878)

sir,

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BRITISH LEGATION,

40397

PEKING.

REC

July 29th 1915.

REG 1 SEP 15

I have the honour to report that in the middle of this

month the city and district of Canton was visited by the

most disastrous flood which has occurred in that province

for a generation.

It is too early to form any estimate of the actual

damage done to life and property and at present I have

only the enclosed preliminary report from the Acting

Consul-General at Canton. Mr. Kirke has since informed

me by telegraph that the reports of the destruction of

Wuchow and Samshui were exaggerated and although extensive

damage has been caused both towns still exist and all

foreigners are safe: the British Concession (Shameen) at

Canton was reported as almost clear of water on the 19th

instant.

As was to be expected the revolutionary element was

not slow to take advantage of the disaster and on the

17th

e Right Honourable

Sir Edward Grey Bart. K.G., M.P.,

&C.. &c., &C..

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