{
No 180
N°
(
Sir,
REC
659
27695
Rea? 12 JUN 16]
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONGKONG.
4th May, 1916.
For some time past the Japanese community in this Colony has been increasing and now numbers over 1500 with the result that considerable inconvenience is experienced in having no officer who is conversant with the Japanese language.
This inconvenience is especially felt at the present time when many questions connected with Japanese with regard to the European war arise; for instance though a careful censorship is maintained both on the European and vernacular press I have been unable to establish the same for the very con- -siderable Japanese Press in the Colony as I have no officer possessing the necessary qualifications.
I have therefore the honour to propose that I should send Mr. A. E. Wood up to Japan on full pay for one year to learn the language. This officer has an exceptionally good knowledge of the Chinese language which should stand him in good stead in studying Japanese, especially for the written character, and I think therefore he should be able to pass the prescribed examinations in that time instead of the usual period of two years.
Should you approve of my suggestion I should be much obliged if you would make the necessary arrangements with Hia Britannic Majesty's Embassy at Tokyo to enable Mr. Wood
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ANDREW BONAR LAW, M.P.,
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