Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to—
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office,
19626 SECRET.
Pall Mall,
London, S.W.
War Office,
25th July, 1899.
58
and the following number quoted.
266 Hong Kong
Sir,
29
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No.1373/98-9 secret, of the 27th ultimo, transmitting a copy of Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee on the Hong Kong Defence Scheme revised to December, 1898.
In reply, I am to state that the Marquis of Lansdowne approves of the Remarks, and concurs in Mr. Chamberlain's suggestion to communicate copies thereof to the Governor of the Colony.
I enclose for transmission to the Governor a copy of the model schedule of arrangements for the regulation of traffic, referred to in paragraph 20 of the Remarks.
I am to add that the Secretary of State for War observes that these Remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee again urge the desirability of Her Majesty's Government endeavouring to obtain a concession of Gap Rock. It will be within Mr. Chamberlain's recollection that the acquisition of this island was proposed by the Colonial Defence Committee in their Memorandum No.139 of April last year, and has, moreover, been previously recommended by the Joint Naval and Military Committee on Defence in 1895.
Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
Lord