April 22, 1899.]
ATTACK ON SPORTSMEN.
REPORTED DESIGN ON KOWLOON DOOKS.
THE VOLUNTEERS CALLED OUT.
LADY BLAKE HOISTS THE FLAG AT KOWLOON.
ANOTHER ATTACK AT TAIPO.{
18th April.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
them for the Governor's visit. The residents treated them with some suspicion at first, but as soon as they understood what was about to coour, they seemed to be very well satisfled and quite pleased with the idea, assisting the of ficials and behaving with great civility through- `nut.
The spot where the ceremony was per- formed is a small open space in front of the Foreign Customs Station, only a few yards from the beach. In the background is the Customs building; facing the sea, and on the right, or south, side of the "square" is the
bsdoma
The gravity of the situation in the new ter. granite wall of a very delapidated old fort,Į part of Hongkong. If you, the Chinese, wana,
ritory and the evidance of the duplicity of the Chiness authorities are greater even than ap peared from the first accounts of the opposition to the occupation encountered at Taipo. On Sun- day a party of sportsmen who went out to Deep Bay were warned by the fishermen and villagers, who showed themselves friendly, not to hand. Disregarding the warning they went on shore. Shortly afterwards they discovered that the heights were occupied by a hostile fores, and being fired upon they beat a retreat to their launch, which they fortunately reached in safety. As the launch steamed away the rebels sent a round shot after her by way of leave taking, showing that they were in possession of cannon of some kind. The significance of this attack is in the evidence it affords that the hostile force was in possession of the whole stretch of country from Mirs Bay to Deep Bay, and that the contingent encountered at Taipohn was only a portion of the whole. The rebels appear to have been uncertain whether the occupation would be affected from the Mire Bay or Deep Bay side and to have made preparation for either. It is of course impossible that such a force could have been marched into the territory without the full knowledge of the Chinese authorities.
RUMOURED DESIGN ON THE DOCKS.
A report was received on Sunday evening that the rebels intended to oross the hills into British Kowloon and attack the Docks. In con-
sequence of this report the Volunteers were called out about ten o'clock, and with three Maxim guns crossed over to Kowloon, together with half a company of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Colonel Mainwaring was in com- mand, and the officers of the Volunteers present were Captain Chapman and Lieut. M. W. Slade (Field Battery) and Lieutenants F. Maitland and G. C. Fullerton (Machine Gun Co), Lien. tenant Macdonald, of the Field Battery, was not notified, and Capt. E. D. Sanders, of the Machine Gun Co., was acting us A.D.C. to H.E. Sir Henry Blake. Some of the Volunteers were in civilian dress, and others, who had not received the summons in time for the muster, crossed the harbour later and joined at Kowloon, The force proceeded to Yaumati, where No. 1 gun took up a position near the pumping station, commanding the Kowloon Road, the other two guns being sent along the Mongkek Road. Two civilian bicyclists who volunteered for the duty acted as scouts. A gunboat was stationed in Kowloon Bay and another in Yan- mati Bay, and search lights were kept playing on the hillsides all night searching the passes, but no enemy made his appearance. The Volunteers returned to head-quarters about six o'clock yesterday morning and were dismissed. THE BRITISH FLAG HOISTED
OUTSIDE KOWLOON CITY. Although, as the public are already aware, the ceremony of hoisting the British Flag at Taipo-hu took place prematurely, a similar ceremony was performed opposite the Custom House at Kowloon City yesterday afternoon at 3.45, when the British Flag. was hoisted by Lady Blake. Unfortunately no announcement had been made of the function, and there was consequently only a small party of Europeans present. It is safe to predict that had the publio of Hongkong known this was going to take place there would have been an enormous crowd of people present who were disappointed over the intended Taipo-hu cere- mony.
ious.
which is protected by an equally useless lot of cannon. On the north side are several of the gambling houses for which the city is notor formed by the Customs House and the wall of The flagstaff stands in the angle the fort; and the yellow flag of China could be seen floating in the breeze for the last time on that spot.
and not as enemies. This day is an important spoch in your lives, for to-day you British subjects. All the world over known that the ways of my country in ruling. the people are excellent. We simply want to | make the people happy, and our country is respected by all the nations of the world. Our dominions spread over the four quarters of the
and millions world upon millions of people own our protection. From this day of hoisting the fag yon and your families and your property come under British protection. This territory now becomes –
to know how you will be treated you can' to Kowloon and Hongkong and there ses for yourselves. There you will find that all the cared for. You may carry on your lawful oo Chinese are well protected and all thier interests cupations and you buying and selling unob-
tracted. Your ancestral temples and temples for worshipping your gods. always remain. Our Queen hopes that you
enjoy prosperity and happiness and I, the Governor, by command Her Majesty's Government, hereby declare that all your customs and usages will be re- spected. Village Courts will be established and representatives will be selected from your gentry to assist in the management of publié affairs, and while acting in accordance with the law you will be allowed perfect" freedom. I do not say that existing regulations may not be altered, but the alterations will only be such as will meet with the approval of the law-abiding people. The taxes will be equal and the revenue will be collected justly. You need now have no fear of being squeezed by the officials. If exactions are made in excomm of the just charges, the Government will dismin the officials responsible. The taxes" collected will be expended in maintaining order and in public improvements. I am going to make n road from this place to Shatin and theños to Kow- loon, so that you may easily transport your goods to Hongkong for sale. There will be no Customs charges or lekin, and you may freely bring back with you goods in exchange. You are now all British subjects and you will share in the benefits resulting from the prosperity of Hong. kong. There you will find people who, starting with little capital, have built up great businesses. You will all have the same chance of becoming prosperous. In all the villages we will establish schools, and you will all be protected in your rights; even the poorest people will be free from molestation. The laws that are made for your benefit must be obeyed, and all who break the law will be punished severely. All persons, the gentry, the scholars, and the common people, must act honestly. From this time forth you are British subjects, and should you have any complaint to make the Governor will listen to it. No injustice will be allowed nor any laxity. If you obey the law you need have no fear, and I hope that you will all form one united com- munity bound together by ties of love, and respect. I pray God to afford you His pro- tection and give you happiness..
hundred men of the Hongkong Regiment, was
A guard of honour, consisting of about = |
on the jetty at three o'clock waiting the arrival | of H.E. the Governor and party; and at 3.15 a detachment of a dozen Indian Police arrived and took up a position in the square, The Chinese flag was then hauled down, and shortly afterwards the Governor's launch Vic toria arrived at the jetty with His Excellency the Governor, Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G, Lady Blake, Miss Blake, Major Somerville, AD.C., Hon. R. D. Ormsby, Director of Public Works, Hon. R. M. Rumsey, Harbour Master, and Mr. Badeley, Deputy Superintendent of Police. The party, preceded by the guard of honour, walked up to the square and took up a position round the flagstaff, the soldiers falling the wall of the old in line, two deep, in front
After His Excellency had exchanged a few words of greeting with the elders who were present, the Union Jack, tightly tied up in a small roll, was hoisted, and at 3.45 exactly Lady Blake pulled the cord, the flag anfurled, the party raised their hats, and the Sikhs presented arms. The Governor's interpreter then read an address to the people, explaining that the territory was now British and the people British subjects, dwelling on the benign character of British rule, and wish ing the people prosperity and happiness.
At 12.30 p.m. yesterday, Mr. King, of the Public Works Department, accompanied by two European constables, went to Kowloon for the purpose of getting together the elders of the city and explaining the object of and preparing
fort.
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Printed copies of this address were then distributed amongst the crowd, who eagerly seized them and waved them in the air,
A wild rush was then made on the small party at the flagstaff, but with no evil intent, as it was caused by Lady Blake distributing a quantity of silver coin among the children who had gathered round. A furi- ous but good-natured soramble at onos occurred, and Her Ladyship and the others went inside the fort and finished the distribution there. The women, babies, and children were all the re- cipients of a few silver coins, and a great many happy and smiling faces were to be seen as one result of the British occupation. One little lad was seen with two ten-cent pieces carefully wrapped up in a copy of the address—a very appropriate combination.
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After this pleasant incident, the officials and ladies returned to the Victoria, and left for Hongkong at a quarter past four.
The flag is to be left flying to-day.
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AFFAIRS AT TAIPOHU.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF SATUR. DAY'S FIGHTING AND THE HOISTING OF THE FLAG.
ATTACK ON THE BRITISH CAMP
REPULSED. YESTERDAY.
The Customs Station was handed over to the police, a detachment of ten or twelve constables AN being left in charge. The building ia to be used in future as a police-station and quarters.
Throughout the afternoon lovely weather was experienced, and everything went off without a hitch; which unfortunately was not the osse at the flag-hoisting of Sunday at Taipo-hu.
THE GOVERNOR'S ŠPEECH AT KOWLOON.
We give below a rough translation of the Governor's address which was read in Chinese at the hoisting of the flag at Kowloon yester day. It is apparently the address which was intended to be delivered at Taipo, and when "this place" is mentioned Taipo must be un- derstood:-
This is the place where the British flag is to be hoisted. The territory has been ceded by the Emperor of Chins to the Queen of Great Britain. I, being the Governor of Hongkong, have been deputed by my Government to receive the new territory, and I will treat you we frienda"
[SPECIAL REPORT FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Quite a number of private launch par ties had arranged to go over to Taipohn yesterday hairs there, the
but in consequence the disturbed state
only tically all abandoned, - launch which laft, Hongkong for the
minently for which has been brought
was with ward of late being the J. J. Spooner. bers of the polion but the stopping night kept them was stopped in disquieting news rebels› had be Yanmates. It was
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