CO129-415 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [12] — Page 219

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Paraphrase of Cypher Telegram

From Secretary of State for the Colonies.

To Governor, Hongkong -

Date 9th December, 1914.

Enclosure 1.

215

3941

REC Wed 25 JANIT

The German Government claims to have reports from

reliable private sources, which state that the treatment of German civilian prisoners in Hongkong is very unseemly, and that they are forced to work like coolies and to clean streets and gutters. I assume that the reports have no foundation, but it is advisable to obtain corroboration from the United States Consul, as the German Government threaten

retaliation.

HARCOURT