CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 515

DRAFT.

B.

D.

C. D

SEP.

W.0./41946/ H. Kong

Ans & 43511

U.S. of S.

Pressing

F.0.

Sir,

509

6th September 1916

MINUTE.

Air.

Collins

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

6.9

Grindle of

Sir G. Fidites.

Sie-de-zkrabassa21,

Mr. Steel-Mailand.

Mr. Bonar Law.

a.O. 3 Sept.

it tel to gov.

in orig.

Draft tel.

I am directed &o. to transmit to you, to be

laid before Viscount Crey of Falloden, copy of

a letter from the W.0., with encl. in orig.

for return, regarding a proposal to raise a

force eventually amounting to about 10,000

Chinese coolies in 10 labour Eattalions for

service in France and elsewhere.

Subject to Viscount Grey's concurrence

Mr. B.L. proposes in the first instance to

tel. to the Gov. of H. Kong as in draft here-

with, but he would be glad to have his Lord-

ship's obsons as to the principle of the en-

istment of Chinese at H.Kong in Special Labour

****1/10 Corps, subject to Military Law, and

also as

to the possible alternative of ob-

taining at W.H.W. or elsewhere labourers from

North China who would be more suitable for

qut-of-door duties in climatic conditions such