{
218
emigration of Indians without a permit. This exception was
the more readily agreed to since the Straits Government
notified that the permit would not be granted to the races
referred to except to the weak or friendly states when
repatriation would be enforced.
The Government of Hongkong re-
-cognised the importance of the object in view and was
willing to concur in these proposals, the precedent con-
-dition being that emigration of these fighting races East
of the Straits would in future be prohibited by the Indian
and Straits Governments. The system was supposed to take
effect from January 1st., 1907, but no pledge was given
that recruits would not be enlisted locally. Experience,
however, extending now over a year has shown that there is
no decrease at all in the number of eligible recruits who
offer themselves locally and apparently no check whatever
upon their migration further Eastwards to Japan, Kiochau,
the Chinese Treaty Ports, and even to Canada.
Co-incidentally with the main
proposals I have referred to, two minor suggestions were
made. The Government of India in two separate minutes
recorded it as necessary in their view, that British-
Indian subjects should be warned of the pains and penalties
they