!
1
}
CONFIDENTIAL.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
15:
HONGKONG.
4th February, 1915.
267
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your secret circular despatch of the 4th November, 1914, and to refer you to my confidential despatch of the 4th November in which I reported that the male members of the German and Austrian communities domiciled in Hongkong, who were considered to be liable for military service, were interned as prisoners of war, and the remainder deport- : ed, and that the women and children of that community were also given the option of deportation or internment.
2.
The following exceptions were made and parole allowed with the concurrence of the General Officer Commanding, and in each case I explain in accordance with the instructions contained in paragraph 2 of your despatch the nature of the circumstance which I submit justified exemption:
(a). Nine German ladies who had charge of two Blind Asylums
and one Foundling Home which were supported by charity chiefly in Germany and provided shelter for several hundred Chinese children, As it was impossi- ble to obtain substitutes possessed of the necessary qualifications they were allowed to remain but the institutions were placed under the supervision and control of Archdeacon Barnett of the Church Mission- ary Society who volunteered his services.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,
&C..
&c..
&c.