-CONFIDENTIAL.
126
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GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONGKONG. 22nd. January, 1917.
66974/85.
With reference to my cypher telegram of the 20th. ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that as a result of a reference made by the War Office to the Indian Government half a battalion of Indian troops is being sent on Foreign Service. This reduction will increase the number of Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps and Hongkong Volunteer Reserve required nightly for guards by only 3 Non-Commissioned Officers and 6 men.
2.
As you are aware a large number of civilians (estimated by me in my speech on the Estimates for the current year at between 200 and 300) has left this Colony to join His Majesty's Armies since the war began; and I recently informed you that practically all who could be spared from the Civil Service had either left or had offered themselves. The services ɗ 20 Police have now been accepted and by suspending work on the Ordnance Survey I have been able to release two Surveyors. Very close investigation of the strength of every Department revealed only 3 more who might be spared. Two proved unwilling to go and the services of the third Dr. Koch - were not accepted.
It has not been possible for me to make as olose an investigation in respect of Mercantile and Professional
Firms,
THE RIGHT HONOUR LE
WALTER LONG, MP.,
ao..
&c...
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