Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to-
The Secretary,
War Office,
London, S. W.,
and the following number quoted.
083
4TT3 M.0.1.
sir,
SECRET.
C.O:
94
4405
RECO
Rec2 10 FEE 05
War Office,
London, S.W.
9th February, 1905.
do
I am commanded the Ary Council to acknowledge receipt
pu-5 of your letter, No: 1527/1-05, dated 24th ultimo, on the sub- ject of the contemplated withdrawal of an Indian infantry bat- talion from Hong Kong.
I am to acquaint you that the Army Council propose to ef- fect this reduction in the infantry garrison of the Colony in consequence of a decision arrived at by the Committee of Impe- rial Defence that, owing to the change which has recently taken place in the balance of naval power in the Far East, a battalion could with safety be withdrawn for the present. The garrison is maintained, as Mr. Lyttelton is aware, for purposes of Imperial
defence.
I am to add that the intentions of the Army Council would
have been communicated to you for the information of the Secret-
ary of State for the Colonies at the time that the telegram,
which is referred to by Sir M. Nathan in his despatch of 16th
December, was sent. But the Council vere under the impression
that Mr. Lyttelton was aware of the decision arrived at by the
Committee of Imperial Defence on the subject.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Snowbard
The Under Secretary of State,
COLONIAL
OFFICE.