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of war with China of her allies, have to depend for any necessary services on Chinese labour and it is possible the conduct of the coolies and boatmen during the Franco-Chinese War may have been due to the French here being a small and not very influential Community and the Chinese failing to recognise any obligation on their part to help them.
Is there any reason to apprehend a similar course of action towards ourselves and if so would the few Hakka men in our employ be likely to participate under the circumstances already mentioned and with so much to lose? I
shall feel much obliged by Your Excellency favouring me with your views on the subjects referred to in this letter.
Had I been able to form a Corps of Submarine Mining Auxiliaries from other native races I should have much preferred it - but after much correspondence we seem as far off as ever from a satisfactory solution of the matter and further delay is very detrimental.
If therefore the Government sees no objection to the enlistment of Hakkas resident in the Colony to the extent of 60 men or thereabouts I am inclined to recommend the experiment to the favourable consideration of Her Majesty's Government.
I have &c.
(Signed)
W. G. Cameron,
Major-General,
Commanding in China & S. S.