}
avy League,
Hongkong Branch.
Hongkong,
Dear Sir,
0.0.
40637
REC:
REG
10th. Novemb12 DEC 00
418
I have to acknowledge the receipt of 4 letters from you dated the 30th. August, 3rd. September, 10th. September, and 18th. September which arrived here whilst I wes absent from the Colony on a short holiday in Japan.
We are glad to see, from the communication from the Colonial Office, dated 14th. September, which was enclosed in your letter of the 13th., that the Colonial Defence Committee has been "carefully considering" our recommendations with regard to certain weak points in the defence of this Colony, and we also have to thank you for forwarding our suggestion in regard to a Mountain Battery to the Colonial Office.
We shall respect the wish contained in your letter of the 18th. September that the communication from the Colonial Office should not appear in print.
It now only remains for me to deal with the request contained in your letter of the 30th. August and 10th. Septem- ber that we will favour your committee with our views as to the proper policy to be now pursued in China.
This subject has received the careful attention of my Committee at a meeting held a few days ago, at which every member was present except one who was absent in Shanghaj.
-I
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