1392 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 26ти AUGUST, 1899.
inhabitants of Ha Ts'ün, TANG KWOK-LAM, TANG TSING-SZ, TANG CHIK-TING plotted together to resist (ie., the British). On the 19th day (30th March) a ineeting was held at Un Long in the meeting-house to discuss matters. The following were present :--From the Pát Heung district, TSE HEUNG-PÓ, LAI CHUN, LI A-FONG, TANG A-TUNG. Fron Kam Tin, TANG CHUR-LAM, TANG Lo- PAN, TANG YAT-IIN, TANG KI-YAN; from Sháp Pat Heung, TANG YING-CHEUNG, CHU KI-WAN, NG FUNG-CH'BUNG, NG K ́1-CH'EUNG; from Ping Shán, A LEUNG, 8011 of TANG CHIU-1, TANG FONG-HING, TANG TSING-WAN, TANG KWAN-SHAN TANG LUI-SHANG, TANG A-LAM; from Ha Ts'ün, TANG I-SHEK, TAng Kwok-Lam, Tang CHIK-TING; from Castle Peak, T'ỏ TONG-TSO. All those present said the Company (formed several years ago to buy land in the territory) had cunningly conspired (to induce the British to get the territory); that they feared that the difference between British and Chinese law and customs would lead to no end of difficulties. All thought that armed resistance should be made. But (the writer) NG KT- CH'EUNG said, "The Emperor of China having sealed the Convention ceding the terri- 'tory, we ought certainly not dare to resist. Even if we were foolish enough to do this rash act we should find difficulty in the matter of men, money, and arms. "Success in battle can only be secured by a correct estimate of one's own (power) "and that of one's enemy." The others had nothing to say in reply, and the meeting dispersed.
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On the 21st (1st April) TANG TS'ING-SZ wrote a letter requesting the elders of the Sheung U Tung division to meet at Un Long. The following were present; from Sheung Shui, LIU WAN-KUK; from Fan Ling, PÁNG SHIU-ÚN ; from Tai pó Tau, TANG MAN; from Ping Kong, HAU HON-Kát; from San Tin. MAN LAI-TONG who had with him a number of able-bodied men. At the meeting all were strongly bent on fighting. They also wanted to issue a notice forbidding the villagers from taking employment (under the British) and called upon (the writer) NG KI-CH'EUNG to make a draft, but he refused and the matter dropped.
TANG TSING-SZ took the lead in proposing resistance. (The writer) NG K't- CH'EUNG said, “Great Britain is the richest and most important nation in the world. If an insignificant place like ours should resist the troops of such a great Power, it is easy to see where victory and defeat would lie.”
All present said the cession of the territory is the work of the Company. Great Britain does not know the circumstances.
(The writer) NG KI-CH'EUNG said, "Mr. STEWART LOCKHART was sent as Commissioner by the Imperial Government. We have received the proclama- tion of the Viceroy T'AN How can it be said that Great Britain does not know the circumstances ? Truly nothing can be more unreasonable.” All then dis-
persed.
On the 24th day (4th April), some drunken men at Tái pó took a crowd to burn the matshed. Men from Fan Ling took the card of MN Chám-ts'ün to various villages asking for assistance.
On the morning of the 26th (6th April), the Ha Ts'in district was the first to render aid. TANG HUNG-TS'OI went with 60 men under his command who were provided with provisions and arms.
On the 27th (7th April) they returned.
On the 28th (8th April), TANG TSING-SZ went to Kam Tin to incite the people there.
On the 29th (9th April), TANG KWOK-LAM and TANG TSING-SZ went to Ün Long and stayed at TANG SHING-UN's place. They sent for the writer No K- CH'EUNG three times, but he refused to come. TANG TSING-Sz then went in person to his house and saw the writer and recapitulated his previous plans (of resist- ance). (The writer) No Ki-cHEUNG informed him of recent political events. The writer said,The natural defences of the Un Long and Sheung U divisions are not equal to those of Formosa; our generalship is not equal to that of LAU WING-FUK (the Chinese General who was defeated by the Japanese in Formosa ). Our resources are not like those of LAM WAI-UN [the millionaire of Northern Formosa who contributed over a $1,000,000 towards the defence of Formosa againt Japan, Translator's note]; we have no outside supporter like CHANG CHIH-TUNG, [Viceroy of Nankin during the China-Japan war, Translator's note] yet the Chinese were beaten by the Japanese. How much less are our chances against a rich country like Great Britain with strong forces, powerful ships and effective weapons?"
TANG TSING-SZ and the others then falsely accused the writer of having been bribed by the Company and having been granted a spirit monopoly.
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