Hong Kong Invaded!: A 'Ninety-Seven Nightmare

The Back Door

NOTp05 This little brochure, which excited much interest106 and amusement during publication - individuals being so thinly disguised - albeit highly coloured and somewhat gory, very accurately voices the uneasiness felt by all thinking men, naval, military and civilians alike, for the safety of this our farthest eastern base. The paucity of the Garrison, the undefended state of the southern shores of the island, and the unsatisfactory nature of our occupation of the Kowloon peninsula are here thrown into high relief. Incidentally the absence ofregularly-trained official consuls at Saigon and Vladivostock is touched on.107 The able and comprehensive review of these articles, published in the China Mail of 12 October this year, sums up in ten short sentences the warnings desired to be conveyed. Recent events in China108 indicate that the old order is changing. This little pamphlet is therefore sent forth to wider fields109 in the earnest hope that, being forewarned, we may forearm. 110 Hong Kong, December, 1897. THE BACK DOOR A SKETCH OF WHA T MIGHT HAPPEN (REPRINTED FROM THE CHINA MAIL) HONG KONG CHINA MAIL OFFICE 1897 30 THE BACK DOOR THE BACK DOOR111 Note by the Editor of The Star of Uruguay112 This document was found amongst the papers ofthe late Mr Reginald Brooks, after his death in 1916 at Estancia,1l3 'Saint Cecilia',1l4 near Colonia,ll5 and by permission of his executors is now published. It illustrates in miniature in a curious manner the fatuous state of unpreparedness of what was once believed116 to be 'The powerful British Empire'. The author was apparently one ofthe residents in Hong Kong, who, ifnot connected with, was apparently intimately acquainted with, the government of that island,117 and evidently an old friend of Mr Brooks'. Of Mr Brooks himself, his early life, little was known here, beyond the fact that he was an Englishman, who retired from business in China, probably Hong Kong,1l8 in 1889, with a large fortune, which was afterwards considerably augmented at the death of a distant relative. The deceased gentleman was passionately fond ofyachting, and had apparently frequently revisited, and for long periods, the scenes of his early labours and successes, in his large schooner yacht the l'Etrel.119 He appears to have left Hong Kong, about the time indicated by the author,120 for an extended cruise in the South Pacific, en route for Valparaiso.121 On a voyage from the Society Islands122 the yacht was wrecked on Flint Island,123 Mr Brooks being the sole survivor. He was rescued from Flint Island by the Peruvian liner Manco Capac in 1905, and first learned then of the collapse and downfall of his country.124 Some two years afterwards it seems he met his friend the author on the Parana;125 a ruined man, like himself.126 His (Mr Brooks') marvellous aptitude for languages and magnificent business abilities enabled him speedily to amass a very considerable fortune.127 He resided principally at Saint Cecilia (continuously for the last six years), where he died on 16 November last year,i28 beloved by all who had the privilege of his acquaintance. Of the author nothing is known; probably he disappeared, with many other adventurous spirits, in the stormy year of 1910, during the rebellions ofthe Italian and German Immigrants.129 - 16 April 1917.130 THE BACK DOOR 31 PAYSANDU,13l 12 October 1907.132 DEAR BROOKS, - Our unexpected meeting last week was a great pleasure to me, and, you were good enough to assure me, to you also. I will (I cannot say with pleasure) afford you all the information that lies in my power, about the miserable events in Hong Kong, of that most wretched of years '97 just ten years ago - as verily a Debacle for us as was 1871133 for the French.134 Curious how both for China and for England the sixtieth year of a woman's life in the former case,135 and of a Sovereign's reign in the latter,136 should have brought in their train for both such misery unspeakable, such overwhelming humiliation. Both anticipated with such eagerness, both ushered in with such pomp and splendour,137 and both closing in disaster and ruin, so utter and complete.138 In China's case in 1894, though the Japanese successes139 were at first somewhat ofa surprise to the good people at home, and even to us out yonder,140 who thought we were...