$98
It was subsequent to this, on the 15th June,
that Hongkong made their offer definite. They did so
on the strength of the three promises thus made on
behalf of the Hospital Committee. They understood
(1) that additional accommodation would be provided
without delay (2) in a house which would bear the name
of the Hongkong Hospital for the Royal Flying Corps,
(3) expenditure on which would be limited to the funds
made available by them.
This is the basis on which agreement was
reached, not the vague terms offered by the Army
Council in April and never accepted. It involved
giving Hongkong a distinct part of the Hospital to
support. In other words, the request originally made
by the Colony and at first refused was now conceded.
When Major Atkinson and myself joined the
Royal Flying Corps Hospital Committee we were unaware
that the last three telegrams mentioned had passed. A
letter received later from Hongkong led to our enlighten-
ment.
The conditions which we have since set up are
a necessary corollary to the original agreement as it is
interpreted by us.