CO129-414 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [10-11] — Page 73

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N? CONFIDENTIAL.

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RES 120

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 29th October, 1914.

sir,

to 38806

Governor to Secy. of State

dated 8th Octr.,1914. lecy. of State to Governor

dated 21st.Oetr.,1914.

With reference to the telegraphic correspondence,

copy enclosed, noted in the margin, I have the

honour to inform you that between the 27th of

August and the 7th of October, 1914, 415 Indians to Love Covads

passed through this Colony en route for India. The large majority of these men were of the labouring class and had evidently been accustomed to hard manual labour. They came for the most part from Canada and the United States of America and their departure from

there seems to have been due to economic reasons owing to dullness

in the lumber trade. I am now informed that the Hindus mentioned in

31 for my telegram of the 8th instant are of the same class leaving Canada

ů

A

for the same reason and that not more than 200 will travel by one

and the same ship, their arrival here will be spread over some 5

months. By arrangement with the Indian Government the name,

father's name, caste, village, district, calling and demeanour of

every Indian who leaves Hongkong for India is telegraphed to the

Indian Government prior to his departure from here. In addition I

have arranged to restrict their movements on shore and to warn them

as to the penalties they are liable to for speaking sedition. They

will also be searched for arms on arrival and before departure.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

&c

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c.

&c.

721.

Governor,&c.