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graph 4), that the despatch of a movable column into the new territory is now con- templated in the scheme of defence, and that this has gone far to influence his present proposals. In Chapter II (D) of the Defence Scheme revised to June 1901 the probable lines of attack from the mainland of China are very carefully considered under two aspects :-
(a.) Attack by a hostile European Power or by Japan. (b.) Attack by a Chinese Army from Canton.
The latter contingency, which is rightly described in the Defence Scheme as remote, need scarcely be considered for the present purpose, as it may be assumed that there would be time to perfect the transport arrangements of Hong Kong before a Chinese invasion took place.
5. With regard to attack by a Power other than China, the line of defence is pushed up to "the chain of hills dominating Kowloon, as they, in the form of a natural fortress wall, present an almost insurmountable barrier." The artillery positions near Tate's Cairn and Pine Apple Pass bearing on the three most probable lines of approach are described as admirable (Chapter II (D), paragraph 9), and a fourth species of attack "so fraught with risk that it may be dismissed as impracticable" could be met by fire from a gun position on Dragon Hill (paragraph 10).
These artillery positions have much the same characteristics as those which are to be occupied with guns of the movable armament at other coaling stations abroad. It must be remembered that, if the gun positions have been well selected and previously prepared, guns of movable armament would not require to be moved with great rapidity or over very rough ground, and do not therefore require to be highly mobile.
The roads and tracks between Kowloon and the barrier of hills to the north are described in the same portion of the Defence Scheme. These communications are evidently short and secure, but it appears that a few of the tracks which are of special military importance and are at present only available for pack transport require improvement. In his letter covering the Defence Scheme the General Officer Commanding states that the matter is receiving his attention.
6. When the communications leading to the defensive positions on the mainland have been improved there will apparently be no difficulty in bringing up the 2·95-inch mountain guns on their wheels to within a few yards of any required position on the Island or mainland with the aid of the China ponies said to be procurable (Appendix, No. 2, paragraph 6). The guns and carriages could then be taken to pieces and carried by the gunners for the short remaining distance. The service would no doubt be facilitated if trustworthy coolies accustomed to the work were available, and the Committee will watch with interest the experiment authorised by the Secretary of State for War in the letter of the 19th April last (See Appendix, No. 3). It cannot, however, be said that the service is one which the gunners should not be able to perform unaided.
7. In these circumstances the Colonial Defence Committee are unable to support the proposal for the formation of a mountain battery at Hong Kong.
January 15, 1902.
(Signed)
J. E. CLAUSON, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
Approved by Lost. W. in 1.0. 083/38 38
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