CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12] — Page 47

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TELEORAN

C.O.

47

From the Officer Administering th48873-

ment of Hong Kong to the Secretary of StRad for the Reet 10 OCT 18 Colonies.

(Received, Colonial Office 3.40 a. m. 10th October,

1918)

Following sent at request of two unofficial members of Legislative Council message begins Two young Scotch boys just conscripted here elder 19

younger exactly 18 both speaking fluent Chinese

crave permissionto proceed home instead of to India for service friends paying all expenses out

back both very suitable for officers. #Landale

#Holyoak consider waste of manpower to send to India in view of their knowledge Chinese and considering

youth should be given opportunity of service on the Western Front as desired urge granting petition message ends Rule that men conscripted must go to India has been adhered to uniformly in similar cases and so I have been unable to make an exception.

I am content to leave matter to War Office decision.

SEVERN.