CO129-590-24 Situation in Hong Kong 25-4-1905 - 25-4-1905 — Page 90

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

Black Market.

I could only get one or two of the lesser important ones, so on the 19th of March, I went over to the peninsular Hotel and saw Mr. Oda. It was all very difficult and he was very inaccessable, I had to see I don't know how many people before I s. him, but I finally did see him, and he kept me for one hour discussing matters.

He wanted to know what I suggested to be done and I asked for the following points. 1. That I be given sufficient money to mect all requirements for next month or two, 2. that Dr. Janaval, at Stanley who had attended my husband the previous stumer in consultation be called in to advise Ir. Du. Mr, Oda inquired whether the e was living accommodation at 9t. Stephen's and said that he would have ir. Canaval brought there to live and look after my husband, and that he would let me know about the money. A 3rd point which I raised, sending out letters to England he said would have to wait a bit.

The following day Mr. Uda telephoned to say that I was to call at the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, where Mr. Matsushima would give me an additional 000, a loan from the Japanese Government. He wanted to know whether Dr. Canaval had arrived yet and seemed surprised that he hadn't.

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On Monday the 23rd of March . Canaval arrived and remained at the hospital a week, He saw at once that my husband's condition was hopeless, although he did not tell me so. He obtained permission from the Japanese at once to go the French Bank where he had a lot of medicines stored away, and brought back a number of injections which would be useful for my husband, He reported to kr. Oda that he found Mr. Martin in a precarious condition, due to long continued neglect, lack of suitable food and medicines over a long period of many weeks, He would do everything possible for him, and hoped that it was not too late. I have a copy of hisletter with me. He returned to stanley after a week, and was again 'sent for a few days later. On his first visit Kr. Oda had him kept at the Bureau of Foreign Affairs until he could come over from Kowloon to see him, and asked him to do everything possible for my husband, and also sent one of the Japanese officials fran the Bureau of Foreign Affairs to give my husband his best wishes for recovery and to inquire whether there was anything to be dene for him aside from what was being done already. He was most scrupulously polite and correct in every detail, and showed my husband every courtesy. The end came quickly and quietly for my husband. He died on laster Monday, at 1.45 a.m. in the last stages of Secondary Anaemia, I doubt if he weighed 100 pounds. It was one of the most pitiful things that can be imagined. He always thought he would get better, he never complained, he never asked for anything. I have never known such ecurage. Fortunately he never had any real pain, only a great malaise due to extreme debility in the last stages of his illness. The kindness we always received from everyone at St. Stephen's helped to make his last days peaceful.

4

Dr. Caneval told me that with favourable conditions he might have lived for years, ten years, no one could tell. If the tumour had been removed he would have recovered his health, professor ‹Digby told me this, as also ir. Dean-Smith, and Dr. Janaval. Whether the tumour could have been taken out remains in doubt, unly an export can tell. Oertainly Dr. Loucks gave no warning, which was not heeded. He diagnosed the cane correctly and gave us the right advice. I only wish we had followed it, we would at least have had a fighting chanoe for my husband's life.

My husband was buried at the Demetery at Happy Valley. Mr. Oda sent a personal representative Er. ? to oall that morning to attend to all affairs, send telegrams, give sanction for all funeral arrangements and later sent Mr. Cheng to the funeral, and a very imposing floral decoration in the name of the members of the Foreign section of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs.

Dr. Canaval had told me two days before my husband's death that it was hopelear, and that I was to be sent to stanley. I

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