The soldiers were amply supplied with food which they had received from the Chinese Chamber of] Commerce. Other supplies they brought with them and shortly after their arrival a few days ago, a considerable quantity of rice was ut under the hammer.
To give the men their due they behaved under the circumstances i a wonderfully orderly fashion and ye still retained no small degree of discipline. A few lieutenants were to be seen wandering aimlessly about the platforms, but most of the officers had fled. One wondered all the same what would happen if the men were not satisfied and although they have as yet shown respect towards the Settlement boundary, the presence of a large and infuriated at our very gates might be a very serious menace to peace and security. The disbandment of a large and Ieaderless army, fully armed, is a difficult business and will require the greatest tact on the Part of those in authority.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.