CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 744

All further communications on this

bject should be addressed to-

The Secretary.

War Office.

London, S.W. 1.

nd the following number quoted.

27/Gen.No./6889. (A.0.13.c.)

sir,

WAR OFFICE,

739

LONDON, S.W. 1.

C. O

24164

May, 1918.

REC

REG 17 MAY 181

Sor

With reference to your letter No. 19486/1918 of 29th ultimo in regard to the imposition of compulsory military service beyond the Colony of Hongkong, I am commanded by the Army Council to say that they concur in the proposed legislation on the linea indicated by the Governor of Hongkong.

The Council are of opinion, in view of the probable small numbers, that the men available should not be forwarded to the United Kingdom, but that they should be sent to India for training, where they would be attached to No. 6 Training Battalion, Kirkes, with a view to their being ultimately drafted to the 1/6th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, with which unit they would serve together in the same Company as far as possible.

The standard of physical fitness should be that laid down for Grade I. men by the Ministry of National Service.

I am to add that the Council recommend that the age limit should not exceed 40 years, and that they concur in the proposal of Mr. Secretary Long to instruct the Governor of Hongkong that, for the present at any rate, only men of pure European descent should be attested.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

Whitehall, S.W.1.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

in kusisi

1”