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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
CO 537/1262
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54233
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OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE
PRIME MINISTER
I informed the Chiefs of Staff this morning of the decision which you communicated to the Foreign Secretary about the appointment of Sir Mark Young to Hong Kong.
2.
The Chiefs of Staff would not of course, question your decision on this appointment, but they thought that they ought to let you know their views on the date from which it should take effect.
3. The essence of the matter is, in their view, that Chinese forces in considerable numbers are continuing to use Hong Kong us an embarkation port. This con- fronts the Administration with any problems of a largely military character, for which the Chiers of Staff consider à military Administration is better suited to cope than civil one. In these cir- cunstancer they leel you might wish to retain Admiral Harcourt as Acting Governor for the time being. If you thought anything of this idea it would mean that the present arrangements for repì: cing the military Administration of the Colony by a civil Administration, at present due to take place on 1st April, would have to be postponed.
4. The Chiefs of Staff fully recognise that you may not wish to entertain this postponement of the return of Sir Mark Young, but they thought nevertheless you should be in possession of their views.
L.C. HOLLIS.
13th March, 1916
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