to the suggestions made by Sir J. P. Atkins of Recruiting Chinese in Hongkong for Kermode in India or to fight against Russia:
As Hongkong is an Imperial Station, any decision regarding augmenting the garrison force by local forces would be more for the consideration of the War Office than the Colonial Office. This letter does not however indicate what action the War Office would wish to take in the matter, although it is evidently intended to throw cold water on Sir J. Pope Hennessy's proposals for employing Chinese in the defence of Hongkong.
Perhaps at the present position of affairs it will be sufficient to add to your letter and to enquire whether the Secretary of State for War would wish this to be communicated to the Defence Commission, to whom the previous correspondence has already been referred?
I think I should merely send a copy of this letter to the Defence Commission with reference to your letter of May 10 sending the Papers which relate to the matter.
July 5.
I think it would be better to deal with the matter at once. I am to write to Sir J. Pope Hennessy saying that the matter has been considered under careful examination and that there is a divergence of opinions as to the armed force to be employed. It is remarked that it will therefore not be advisable to enlist Chinese unless other fit...
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