CO129-508-13 Employment of British and Indian troops stationed at Hong Kong 31-12-1927 - 20-8-1928 — Page 24

Tel. No.-Vict. 9400.

Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to:-

The Under-Secretary of State,

The War Office,

London, S. W. 1,

and the following number quoted.

ΟΙ

5677 (M.0.1)

لام

The

NATIONAL

FOR

SCHEME

MEN

DISABLED

SECRET.

24

THE WAR OFFICE,

loa

3

LONDON, S.W.1.

April, 1928.

Sir,

I am commanded by the Army Council to refer to the despatch of the 31st December 1927 addressed by His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, concerning the strength at which the British military forces in China should be maintained. A copy of this despatch was forwarded to the War Office by the General Officer Commanding, South China Command, who in his covering memorandum states that it was drawn up in consultation with him, and that its contents generally represent his views.

2.

From the nature of this correspondence it appears to the Army Council that the correct division of respon- sibilities between the Military Commanders in China haze been overlocked. China is now divided into two Commands, namely the North and South China Commands, while the Naval Commander-in-Chief still acts as adviser to His Majesty's Government on all Naval and Military questions arising in that country

The normal garrison of Hong Kong comprises the South China Command. As the despatch under review covers recommendations for the future garrison of the whole of China, it is obvious that the General Officer Commanding, South China Command, has been called upon to advise about problems which are not within his province.

3.

It is apparent that the General Officer Commanding, South China Command, expressed his views on these questions at the request of His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong, and the Council would be grateful if His Excellency could be requested not to seek advice from General Luard, on military matters which are outside his sphere of responsibility and with which he is not concerned.

Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office,

S.W.1.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

E.V. Fleming