HONG KONG.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
Downing Street,
June,
1909.
462
.:
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential despatch of the 29th of March forwarding a copy of a letter addressed to the Colonial Secretary by the Consul General for the United States of America at Hong Kong as to the landing of a "patrol" on duty to look after American sailors who might mis- behave.
2. I do not think it is possible to lay down an absolute rule in a matter of this kind, but I am disposer to think that in the particular case in question, the request of the Consul General was a reasonable one, and that the permission accorded was properly given.
3. It appears to me that the Governor when auch an application is made to him, must consider how the landing of a number of seamen may affect law and order in the Colony, and how far the police forces at his disposal could insure good order with the least risk of friction. He may authorize the landing of a party, and decline a patrol on the around that his own police can do what is necessary; or he may refuse to allow the landing because, where a large number are coming on shore he feels that he cannot control either them or
GOVERNOR
SIR F. D. LUGARD, K.C.M.G.,C.R.,D.S.O.,
&C..
&c.,
&c.
the