Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 581

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availing themselves of this as a pretext to again create trouble which would be

awkward for us. You young people should reflect before you act.

་

[You know whom this is from, so I do not sign my name.].

10.*

ENCLOSURE No. 2 IN COLONIAL SECRETARY'S MINUTE OF 11th May, 1899.

The Statement of Liu Wan-kuk.

On the 1st of the 2nd moon (12th March, I returned from Canton to my home (in Sheung Shui). On the 20th (31st March) a letter from TANG TSING-SZ, of the Un Long Division, arrived for my nephew (LIU) IN-Ü summon- ing the gentry of the villages in the Sheung U Division to meet on the 21st day (1st April) in the Un Long Division to discuss matters. My nephew (Liu) In-ỡ therefore specially told me to proceed thither in a chair to see what was in- tended. I went to the meeting-house in the Un Long Division with HAU FUNG- KAI, PANG TAK-MAU, MAN LAI-TONG and TANG A-FUK. There were also present in the meeting-house the gentry of Ping Shán, Kam Tin, Ha Ts'ün and Shap Pát Heung who took part in the discussion. They said, "What regulations have you made as regards the Sheung U Division?" We replied, "The Sheung U Division "has made no regulations of any kind. If you say you are going to resist we "will most certainly refuse to comply. Great Britain and the Emperor of China "have decided regarding the leased area and a boundary has been delimited, the territory within which is to be under British jurisdiction. We therefore could not on any account presume to offer resistance.'

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On the 22nd day (2nd April) we took our leave, and I and the others who came with me returned to our homes.

On the 1st of the 3rd moon (10th April), the Ün Long Division made a great show of force, and stated in a most peremptory manner that if we refused to join in the resistance of the British thousands of men from the Un Long Division with arms would proceed to level to the ground the villages belonging to the Liu, Tang, and l'áng families. The Sheung U Division was therefore com- pelled on the 3rd day (11th April) to request the Hau, Liu, P'ang, Tang, Man clans to meet in the temple dedicated to a former Governor of the Kwong Tung province. There it was decided to raise a small public subscription so as on the one hand to prevent our Division from being disturbed and destroyed by the Ün Long Division, and on the other hand to prevent rowdies from other places avail- ing themselves of the opportunity to create trouble and to plunder. It was also "decided that the various villages in our division should have their trainbands (or militia) in readiness so that we should not be unprepared, should occasion arise, and be powerless to check disorder. Our Division was the victim of cir- cumstances which we could not prevent. Our trainband (or militia) was in- tended solely for the protection of the old and young in our Division.

.

This is a true statement of the facts of the case and I dare to swear before heaven: "If I have stated anything false inay the gods of heaven and earth visit me with such punishment as I may deserve."

A true statement by LIU WAN-KUK.

Appended is a list of the leaders of the Ün Long gentry.

Dated the 26th April, 1899.

1. TANG TSING-SZ.

2. NG K·I-CH'EUNG.

3. TANG WAI-LUN.

HONGKONG No. 118.

SIR,

(Secretary of State to Governor.)

DOWNING STREET,

23rd June, 1899.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 107 of the 28th April and its enclosures, in which you have given me some further details of the recent disturbances in connection with the taking over of the new Territory.

• Statement of Accounts not printed.