Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to---
Under Secretary of State,
War Office,
London, S.W.,
and the following number quoted.
266/915 (M.0.1).
Sir,
SECRET.
War Office,
London, S.W.
17th July, 1906.
With reference to my letter, No. 083/4170 (M.0.1),
dated 17th January 1906, on the subject of the garrison of Hong
Kong, and my letter No. 266/915 (M.0.1), dated 14th June 1906,
conveying the concurrence of the Army Council in the Colonial
Defence Committee's Memorandum, No. 364 M., I am commanded by
the Council to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary
of State for the Colonies, that they find themselves unable
to restore to Hong Kong the full battalion of British infantry
which forms part of its approved garrison, without serious inconvenience.
The Council hope that Lord Elgin will assent to the
continuance for the present of the arrangement under which half
of the British battalion at Hong Kong is detached to North China.
I am instructed to say that the Council appreciate the
necessity of maintaining the garrison of this important naval
station and commercial port at its full strength under ordinary
circumstances, but it appears to them that, taking into consideration
the existing conditions in the Far East, a temporary reduction is justifiable.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,