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partment. He would suggest, therefore, that the question of Wei-hai-Wei should also be brought before this Conference, and that a representative of the Colonial Office should be added.

I am to enclose, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of letters on the subject, which have been addressed to the India Office.

38278

I have, &c.,

G. FLEETWOOD WILSON.

SIR,

Enclosure 1 in No. 114A.

WAR OFFICE' to INDIA OFFICE.

(266/Wei-hai-Wei/125. I. (1).)

SIR,

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to advert to my letter, No. 7542/1731, of the 27th July last, proposing that, an inter-Departmental Con- ference should be held to consider the strength and constitution of the British garrison in China, other than that of Hong-Kong, and the responsibility for its administration.

I am to request that you will inform the Secretary of State for India that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has since put forward a proposal that a small garrison should be maintained at Wei-hai-Wei to support the civil power in the case of disturbances. Mr. Secretary Brodrick considers that it is desirable that this suggestion should also be brought before the proposed Conference, and as its consideration may affect the disbandment of the Chinese Regiment which is now being proceeded with, it is a matter of urgent importance that the Conference -hould meet at the earliest possible date.

It would also appear desirable that the Colonial Office should be represented on The Conference.

If these suggestions should be concurred in by Lord George Hamilton, the Secretary of State for War trusts that His Lordship will think fit to take immediate steps for the assembly of the Conference.

The Under-Secretary of State,

India Office.

Enclosure 2 in No. 114A.

I have, &c.,

No. 115.

WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received September 13, 1902.) [Answered, September 15, 1902, by 38278; not printed. It concurred in the terms of enclosure 2 in this letter.]

War Office, London, S.W., September 13, 1902.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 37318, of the 10th instant,* and to enclose, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copies of a further letter which has been eceived from the India Office on the subject of the proposed inter-Departmental Committee on the British garrison of North China, and of a letter which has this day been addressed by this Department to the Foreign Office.

I am to request that you will move Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to state whether be concurs in the terms of reference proposed in the letter to the Foreign Office.

The Secretary of State for War notes that Mr. C. P. Lucas, C.B., will represent the Colonial Office on the Committee.

SIR,

(M. 12704.)

I have, &c.,

Enclosure 1 in No. 115.

G. FLEETWOOD WILSON.

INDIA OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.

India Office, Whitehall, London, S.W., September 9, 1902. I AM directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th September," 1902, No. 266/Wei-hai-Wei/125 I. (1), and to inform you, in reply, that there is no objection on the part of this Office to the Colonial Office being represented on the proposed Inter-Departmental Committee, to consider the strength and constitution of the British garrison in China. Lord George Hamilton is of opinion, however, that it would be better for the steps for assembling the Committee to be taken by your Department.

F. WHITMORE SMITH,

I have, &c.,

The Under-Secretary of State, War Office.

Assistant Military Secretary.

NIR.

WAR OFFICE to INDIA OFFICE.

War Office, July 22, 1902. WITH reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to state that, in his opinion, it is very desirable that some definite understanding should be arrived at as regards the future strength and constitution of the forces in China, other than at Hong-Kong, and as regards the responsibility for their administration.

Mr. Secretary Brodrick therefore suggests that a Conference of representatives of the India Office, Foreign Office, and this Department should meet at an early date to discuss this subject, and furnish a report on the following points:—

(1) What is to be considered the strength of the permanent force in North

China and Shanghai for the next two years?

(2) What is to be its constitution?

(3) Which Department of the State is to be responsible for its administration? If this proposal should meet with the concurrence of Lord George Hamilton,

it is presumed that His Lordship will consult the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

The Under-Secretary of State,

Lulia Office.

I have, &c.,

G. F. WILSON.

SIBA

Enclosure 2 in No. 115.

WAR OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

(266/Wei-hai-Wei/125 I. (1).)

War Office, S.W., September 13, 1902.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to state, for the information of the Marquess of Lansdowne, that Mr. Secretary Brodrick is of the opinion that it is very desirable that a definite understanding should now be arrived at as regards the future strength and constitution of the forces maintained in China, other than at Hong-Kong, and as regards responsibility, both financial and execu- tive, for their administration.

I am further to state that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has recently forwarded to this Department a despatch from the Commissioner of Wei-hai-Wei, in which it is urged that a small military garrison should be retained at that station, to assist the Civil Authorities in the maintenance of order and the suppression of disturbances.

As this proposal appears to be closely connected with the question of the garrison of Northern China, it would seem convenient that they should be considered together.

• See note to No. 114A.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

EPEPEC.O. 882

6 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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