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conference followed at Government House where the
terms on which Police would be supplied by the
Hong Kong Government were laid down by the Officer
Administering the Government and agreed to by the
Representatives of the Shipping Firms.
Further
negotiations between the Inspector General of Police
and the Shipping Companies followed resulting in
what appear to be satisfactory arrangements for the
safeguarding of the ships concerned.
2.
All the firms interested were anxious to
have Guards at least equal in number to those provided
by the Military all of which were British troops.
It was of course out of the question to supply British
Guards to replace British troops, and the Shipping
Companies were therefore given their choice of the men
available:-
(a) Russians.
(b) Indians.
(c) Northern Chinese.
The
with British Police supervision where required.
Companies concerned held divergent views on the numbers
and nationality of the men to be recruited. After
full discussion the following arrangements were agreed
upon:-
I. The Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd.
These ships were to be manned entirely by
white Guards consisting of :-
1. British Police Officer (Srgt's rank) i/c.
2. Russian Sergeants.
12 Russian Rank and file (later reduced to 10).
With