tr
MINUTES.
MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.
In any further communes-
tion on this subject, please quote
M.0509/24.
and address letter to-
The Secretary,
Admiralty, Whitehall,
London, S.W.
Sir,
-
SECRET –
14
Admiralty,
11th April, 19124.
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to soquaint you that They have had under their consideration your letter 11628/24 of 25th March as to the establishment of an improved intelligence organisation at
Hong Kong
2.
The Governor of Hong Kong in his letter states that he is not closely concerned with anything except the local affairs of the Colony, and adds that the Government is not in a favburable situation for obtaining information as to events or tendencies in the more distant
parts of China.
3.
My Lords however still take the view that the position of Hong Kong, as a focus of traffic in the Far Bast, should give it special value as a place where information can be collected regarding Far Eastern matters generally, especially China, Japan, and the Philippines.
the A very close liaison between the Police, Chinese Secretariat, the Intelligence Departments of the Army and the Navy and the Consular Service of Canton must constitute a most efficient service for collecting such
information.
4.
5.
My Lorda agree that the facilities for checking such information would be limited, but the appointment (as suggested) of an officer to act nominally as Commercial Secretary of Legation for South Chine appears likely to
diminish this difficulty.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
L.P. No 8