Two parallel schemes are under way for the protection of foreign property and Chinese and foreign civilisms should hostilities extend here.
Under the first of these, the ex-British Cone ion, known as Special Administrative District No. 3, is being separated from the adjoining areas by concrete posts and strong iron gates which are now nearing completion.
It is a generally accepted belief locally, although the British naval authorities are reticent, that these gates will be manned by British bluejackets to protect this district from becoming involved in hostilities if the occasion arises.
In this event British sailors would be landed from gunboats and reinforced by a certain number of sailors from Hongkong, although this again lacks official British confirmation.
If these steps are taken, they would be a purely temporary measure for the protection of British property.
The second scheme under discussion is a safety zone proposed and sponsored by an international committee consisting of foreign missionaries and businessmen.
This would involve other ex-Concession areas plus specified zones ad-also occurred at Lords on Saturday.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.