COPY.
C.R.No.4677/38 (A).
sir.
18408
60
Head Quarters, China Command,
READ 17 Hongkong, 25th. February, 1916.
In reply to your letter No. 1 in 3243/1914 dated 16th.
instant, I have the honour to report as follows:-,
1.
Sentence of 18 months imprisonment for attemoted escape.
This apparently refers to A. Hauler who was tried by a military court
on the 1st June, 1916, for escaping from the custody of the escort who
was taking him to the dentists. This man got away from the escort, &
Gunner who was in charge of two prisoners in the dentista rooms, on
the excuse of wanting to go to the lavatory. He was free for nearly
24 hours before he was wain arrested in the house of a Japanese in
Queen's Road. He was sentenced by the court to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for escaping from custody but the General Officer Commanding (Major-General Kelly) remitted 6 months at the time of confirmation and a further 6 months was afterwards remitted so that
he was released on 30th. November, 1915, after 6 months imprisonment
only.
order
2. Use of bandcuffs, wing to repeated attempts to escape, the Camp Comandent issued an order that visits to Hongkong by prisoners of war must cense unless they consented to go handcuffed. Prior to this order being given prisoners were allowed to go to town from time to time to consult dentists &c. without restriction beyond an escort, who had to proceed direct and to allow no conversation with outsiders on the way. This liberty was abused and the prisoners were given the option of proceeding handcuffed or not at all. No compulsion was used. Eventually, within a fortnight, arrangements were made for a dentist to practise in camp thus doing away with the necessity of sending the prisoners to Hongkong.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
Hongking.
I have etc..
(8d.)J. Cassel,
Captain, D.A.A. & Q.M.G.
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