H
Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to--
The Secretary,
War Office,
London, S.W.,
and the following number quoted. 083/4302 (M.0.1).
Sir,
2 2 2 4 Longe
438
07
Secret.
War Office,
London, S.W.
22nd June 1907.
I am commanded by the Army Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 15879/1907 of the 9th ultimo.
I am to inform you that the Council fully realize
the importance of bringing the garrison of Hong Kong up to
its approved establishment, and that they much regret the
delay which has occurred in giving effect to their undertaking
in this respect. I am to acquaint you for the information of
the Secretary of State for the Colonies that there were last
year good grounds for hoping that the force in North China
might have been withdrawn by the end of 1906, which would have
admitted of the half battalion now in North China rejoining
its headquarters at Hong Kong forthwith; this withdrawal, as
Lord Elgin will be aware, was subsequently found to be inex-
pedient. An alternative plan whereby the garrison of Hong
Kong was to have been increased by half a battalion from
Ceylon also proved to be impracticable.
I am to say that the Council will arrange to despatch
a battalion to arrive in North China towards the end of the
year, the half battalion now at Tientsin rejoining its head-
quarters in Hong Kong. This will, it is hoped, admit of the
withdrawal of one native Indian battalion from North China.
wit
I am
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial office.