CO129-420 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [1-2] — Page 359

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committed any offence against section 40 of the Army Act. In order

that the facts of the case might be on record I asked after the trial for a copy of the depositions in the case, and I received

O, the reply copy of which is enclosed. I regret that Mr. Bitzer was

tried by a Field Court Martial, and on this point I append a

minute by the Crown Solicitor.

•

I should have liked to learn Mr. Bitzer's

explanation of the fact that he sent letters by hand to his Mission Stations outside the Colony. There are many Stations of the Mission in the Kwangtung Province and it is possible that at

some there is no Post Office.

4.

Mr. Bitzer was sentenced to 4 months im-

-prisonment by the Court Martial, but the General Officer Command- -ing reduced the sentence to one of 28 days imprisonment, and Mr. Bitzer was released after 5 days detention on the ground of ill-

-health.

5.

I may add that during the presence in Hongkong

of the members of the Basel Mission there was no evidence of their engaging in any Anti-British propaganda among the Chinese

population.

I have the honour to be,

gir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Moma

Governor, &c..