CO129-429 - Public Offices & Others - 1915 — Page 255

Sim

F. H. Mong

will

Like

this further

reduction

SECRET

וידי

Mag d. 12

Jan. 14

>

tal

(substance in offcher)

Gove

With

ref

to

Your

tel.

of

The Secretary,

Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to-

War Office,

253

4 Kong

(5020314)

London, S.W.

and the following number quoted.

War Office,

16

Dec.

im cyfher

At hissant

extred

conditions

083/4841. (M.0.1.)

View

of

20

suggest

W.O

the

removal

Infantury

wish

to

reduce

garrison

London, S.W.

January 1915.

at least

Substance sent

battalion

of

offibren

"

thre

cust

H.T.A

sir,

well

دلة

ab

leansing

2

battalions of infanting

of

Indian

Mountain

Battery

at

4. Kong

tanda

Salf

Jel.

view's

Your

+

copy tel

to

C

Fo. 4 W.0.

cur

12/115

ная із

Arc

13.1.157

13. 1.13-

R 15JAN

-15-

LF

Dr.

13. 7. 75*

abovel

TA.B.1.15

Arwal 2525

I am commanded by the Army Council to acquaint you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Harcourt, that the strength of the

garrison which must be maintained at Hong Kong has been under their

consideration.

Up to the year 1912, the normal garrison of Hong Kong was 3

companies of Royal Garrison Artillery, 3 companies, Native Artillery,

2 Fortress Companies, Royal Engineers, 1 British Infantry battalion,

2 Native Infantry regiments, with administrative services. Owing to

the political situation the garrison was, however, in that year

reinforced by 2 extra Native Infantry regiments and a Mountain

that Battery from India. It appears to the Army Council the conditions have since altered, so that the retention of this extra infantry and artillery has become unnecessary; and they desire, therefore, to reduce the garrison. They suggest the withdrawal of at least 1 battalion of Native Infantry, as well as of the Mountain Battery, leaving the Infantry force stationed at Hong Kong at a strength of

2 battalions, as battalion is at Tientsin.

The Council trust that the Secretary of State for the

Colonies may be prepared to assent to this proposal which will place

a battalion at their disposal for employment elsewhere.

A similar letter has been sent to the Foreign Office.

Under Secretary of State

for the Colonies,

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

An Culite.

Į