136 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25TH FEBRUARY, 1893.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.—No. 67.
The following abstract of a Chinese Proclamation, prohibiting the entrance of foreigners into Chinese Territory in the neighbourhood of Macao for purposes of shooting, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th February, 1893.
G. T. M. O'BRIEN,
Colonial Secretary.
Abstract of proclamation issued by Ai, Maritime sub-prefect, stating that the Governor-General of the two Kwang has forbidden foreigners from entering Chinese territory on shooting excursions and thereby creating disturbances.
In consequence of foreigners from Macao acting in contravention of treaties, and entering with arms into Chinese territory on shooting parties, I and Captain LAI addressed a joint communication to the Portuguese Li Sz () of Macao. We explained that the elders of the villages were afraid of the consequences which might result from some one being accidentally wounded by a foreigner: a disturbance having actually arisen in this way some years ago. We added that on the 30th October a Chinese narrowly escaped being wounded by a foreigner who was on a shooting excursion, but fortunately some soldiers who were near intervened and quelled the disturbance which arose, before anything serious occurred. We pointed out that Chinese of all classes obeyed the regu- lations in force in Macao against carrying arms, and that it would be only just and would prevent justifiable complaints if foreigners were prohibited from breaking the laws in force in China against shooting in places where it was forbidden. We concluded by requesting him to issue a proclamation forbidding shooting excursions into Chinese territory. We also wrote to the Commissioner of Customs and caused two notices to be posted.
I further submitted, as follows, to the Governor-General of the Two Kwang the advisability of requesting the Governor of Macao to forbid shooting parties.
The part of the province under my jurisdiction, I said, is almost all cultivated ground, and thickly inhabited. It lies close to Macao, and foreigners come from there to shoot. Accidents have frequently occurred, and though the complaints arising from them have been successfully dealt with by the officials concerned, proclamations prohibiting the practice of shooting in these parts have not been attended to, and it has become more frequent these last two years. The trouble will never cease unless you intervene. I have had frequent complaints made to me personally, and a disturbance arising out of the presence of a shooting party on the 30th October was only just averted. I have satisfied myself that the reports of the occurrence are true, and similar events have been frequent for many years.
The Governor-General replied to this that he had requested the Governor of Macao to put a stop to the practice of shooting in Chinese territory, and instructed me to proclaim without delay that no molestation was to be offered to foreigners taking a walk in Chinese territory, and that a report must be made of any intentional injury received at their hands, but no retaliation made.
I now issue a proclamation and call on you to see that no member of your families invent stories with the intention of persuading foreigners to come and shoot in these parts, trusting to the foreigner for support. You must report any one who does so and I will punish him severely. You must receive all foreigners who enter Chinese territory for a walk as distinguished guests, and even if you have any feeling of resentment you must not allow the least particle of it to be seen, or it will be the worse for you.
If any foreigners disregard the provisions of the treaties and insist on making shooting excursions into our territory and refuse to listen to you when you wish to prevent them, you may take their knives and guns from them and bring the arms to my Office, and I will request the Governor-General to ask that they be punished. But I wish to warn you especially that you must on no account assault them. If you do, they will have cause for complaint. It is my wish that both parties should be on good terms, but I cannot consent that my people should suffer injury.
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