CO129-432 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [3-5] — Page 58

No: 96.

No

| 18193

RECP

55

REGE 17 APR 16

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 8th. March, 1916.

Sir,

With reference to the Despatches noted in the

margin, I have the honour to inform you that in consequence of

overnor's No. 340 of 21st.October,1915.)

No. 357 of 5th.November,1915.

156788

a report which appeared in the

public press in this Colony on the 14th. February to the effect

that a telegram had been received from the Foreign Office that no

more Volunteers fran China were required, I telegraphed to His

Majesty's Minister at Peking enquiring if such was the case. I received in reply a telegram from Sir John Jordon that the report

was correct and that he was instructed to pay no more passages, and

I therefore caused the Military Authorities to be informed that

this Government was not prepared to pay any more passages for

recruits from Hongkong or places outside the Colony.

2.

Since the beginning of the war the Government of Hongkong has paid the passages of 130 recruits, while a number

some with temporary commissions and others passed as fit for service, have obtained passages in Government transports.

I have the honour to be,

of men,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Governor,&c..

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

ANDREW BONAR LAW, M.P.,

80+

&c.

&c...