Hold-Forster's suggestion.
[It is rather late in the day to make this suggestion as we were warned in the letter of 3rd Sept last.]
42981/01 Gold. 24/20 gr Johnson's 81/01/ Minuk h reverse the In the last word substitute is not preferred on which was veces by full consideration and to the Sqs for taken afrin duly communic To do so would be - apart from other considerations - most inconvenient to the fairest colonial administration Secretary" use administe
This is not right on the part of Was office. It is shown by other papers general-who is making an objection - man- is making difficulties with the and such authorities as to the now of the and C.P.224
I will use the letter. 2672 Jt vn? the contain the substance of the above but in better amplified form.
A.L. 29/2
Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to
The Under Secretary of State, War Office, London, S.W., and the following number quoted. 083/3982 (M.S.1.)
War Office, London, S.W. February, 1904.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to inform you that his attention has been drawn to the new arrangement for administering the Government of Hong Kong in the absence of the Governor, which was notified to this Department in your letter of the 7th October last, No: 35612/1903.
Under this arrangement a Dormant Commission has been issued placing the administration of the Government in such a case in the hands of the Colonial Secretary instead of the General Officer Commanding the Troops as hitherto.
Mr. Arnold-Forster is aware that this is a reversion to the arrangement which was in force until 1896, but it seems to him to be open to two chief objections
In the first place he considers that, as the chief purpose of the retention of Hong Kong is its strategic value as a Naval Base, it is desirable that the General Officer, who is responsible for the defence of the
Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S. W.
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