CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 400

Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to-

The Secretary.

War Office,

and the following number quoted.

0103/7127

Sir,

C.O.

12218

REGE 14 WAR 16

394

London, S.W.

March, 1916,

London, S.W.,

War Office,

(F.1.)

I am commanded by the Army Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 8695 of 23rd ultimo, regarding 38 German

ttees

prisoners who were brought into Hong Kong by His Majesty's

Ship "Laurentic".

If these prisoners had been retained in Hong Kong

the cost of their maintenance would have fallen on the revenues

of the Colony, which has undertaken to bear the expenses of

internment of all classes of enemy prisoners, including those

brought into port by His Majesty's ships. Instead of being

retained in Hong Kong these prisoners are to be sent to

Australia, and the Army Council see no reason why the expenses

incurred on account of this arrangement should not be defrayed

out of the revenues of the Colony in eccordance with the

Governor's proposal.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

S.W.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Do Cunt п