CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917 — Page 14

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active service,

but that a want of sense of proportion between

the needs of the Empire and those of the Colony, and a failure to appreciate the gravity of the situation, on the part of the

authorities as well as a lack of cohesion between the

authorities and the general public precludes any serious attempt being made to grapple with the situation.

Time is getting on and it would appear to be a case

of now or never if HONGKONG intends to do its utmost to render

the much-needed assistance to the Empire.

I quite realise that, as far as my official duties

are concerned, the above remarks may be considered as unorthodox, but I feel that the matter is so pressing and the need of men appears so great that I have no compunction in forwarding them for consideration.

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I am, etc.,

(Signed). H. G. SANDEMAN

COMMODORE.

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