94
G.-Time Limit for Reply.
CLAUSE 35.-This Armistice to be accepted or refused by Germany within 72 hours of notification.
LONG.
Continuing, His Excellency said :-Honourable members of the Legislative Council, -Victory as complete as any subject of His Majesty the King could have wished for is signified by the Armistice which Germany has signed. Victory gained by the splendid strategy of Marshal Foch and the tactical skill of the leaders on the various front, to which the fine endurance and bravery of the Allied forces gave effect. Victory has come at last, and though this is not the occasion for reviewing all the great deeds that have brought about the triumph of right over might, it is fitting that while we are gathered here to-day we should mark our deep sense of gratitude to those who on the sea, on land and in the air have by their valour made the victory possible. Our Navy has earned an imperishable record of duty nobly done, without which all the vast efforts of the land forces would have been unavailing. A loss of five thousand combatants out of twenty-two million guarded in their passage across the seas sums up better than any elaborate phrases can do what our Navy, aided in no small degree by our Japanese Allies, has achieved. Ever since our soldiers by their stubborn resistance and indomit- able courage stayed the final onrush of our foes in the early part of this year, they have fought side by side with their French, Italian, Belgian and Portuguese comrades, and with the wonderful new-born army of the United States of America, forcing back the enemy at every point of the Western Front. Strategy and endurance have achieved their end. With all our Allies we rejoice to see this day, and while we rejoice at the end of strife we treasure in our hearts the precious memory of those who have given their lives in winning freedom for the nations of the world. In numberless homes to-day the glad tidings of impending peace after years of terrible anxiety will bring a joy that no outward manifestations can adequately express. The wounded, the maimed and the prisoners are being restored to those they love, while the devastated lands and cities are again being occupied by their rightful owners. All has been so ordered by Almighty God, to whom, in another place, we shall shortly return thanks for His great mercies. Here our duty is to render the homage due to our King, who throughout the war has shared in the hopes and sorrows of his people. I therefore beg to move the following resolution:-
"The Members of the Legislative Council of Hongkong assembled in special session present their humble duty and desire to express to Your Majesty the heartfelt rejoicings with which Your Majesty's loyal subjects in the Colony of Hongkong have received the news of the Armistice with Ger- many signifying by its terms complete victory for the British Forces and those of their gallant Allies."
Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK--Your Excellency, as senior Unofficial member of this Council I beg leave to second the resolution which has just been proposed by you, and I desire, on behalf of myself and my colleagues to associate ourselves with those senti- ments which Your Excellency has just now so feelingly expressed.
The motion was put to the meeting and carried with acclamation. His Excellency then called for three cheers for the King which were heartily given and the Council adjourned.
Telegram from His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, Hongkong, to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 13th November, 1918.
Your telegram of November 11th was published immediately and was received with great rejoicing by the Community. At a Meeting of the Legislative Council held this morning the following resolution was passed and I should be glad if it could be laid before His Majesty :--
"The Members of the Legislative Council of Hongkong assembled in special session present their humble duty and desire to express to Your