378
(Copy)
Colonial Office to War Office.
DOWNING STREET,
23 May, 1890.
SIR,
With reference to the letter from this Department of 24th January last regarding the Hongkong Military contribution, I am directed by Lord KNUTSFORD to transmit to you to be laid before Mr. Secretary STANHOPE, for his considera- tion, copy of a despatch from the Officer Administering the Government of Hong- kong reporting that the Legislative Council had unanimously voted the increased contribution but had also adopted certain resolutions bearing on the subject.
2. In regard to the first of these Resolutions I am to point out that in para. 2 of
your letter (No. 448) of 15th January last, it was suggested that the words "Infantry of the Line, 2 Battalions" in the appendix of the draft despatch should be altered into "Infantry, 2 Battalions" because one of the Battalions might possi- bly be raised in India, but your letter omitted to notice the consequent necessity to alter the words "Total Europeans......2525" in the same appendix, and the words "Imperial Troops......2525" in para. 6 of the Despatch. Your letter of the 15th of January was not communicated to the Colonial Government, but it will be seen that Major-General EDWARDS informed the Officer Administering the Government of the proposal to send a native battalion of Madrassees as one of the Battalions of Infantry mentioned in appendix A to the despatch. His Lordship would be glad to learn whether any decision has been come to on this proposal, and what answer can be returned to the Colonial Government in regard to it.
3. As regards the second Resolution, Lord KNUTSFORD considers that when the increased garrison has been supplied, the Colony may be expected to pay its proportion of the cost viz. £40,000 per annum, provided there is no very large deficiency of men at any time, but as the basis of the present demand is the pro- vision of additional troops, his Lordship thinks there is reason in the contention of the Legislative Council that they should not pay the increased contribution until the troops are provided.
4. In regard to the question of the Barracks referred to in the third Resolution, I am to observe that no conclusion can be arrived at, until it is known whether the Troops are or are not to be moved to Causeway Bay. As to this point I am to refer you to the letter from this Department of the 9th instant, to which his Lordship would be glad to receive a reply at Mr. STANHOPE's early convenience.
5. Lord KNUTSFORD desires me to add that the liberal manner in which the Un-official Members of the Hongkong Legislature have met the demands of the Imperial Government, has enabled a constitutional crisis to be averted, and it will in his Lordship's opinion be politic to make any concession which may be possible to meet their views.
No. 82, 1st April,
The
Under Secretary of State,
War Office.
I am, &c.,
(Sd.)
EDWARD WINGFIELD.