CHAPTER I.
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26. At Hong Kong, as elsewhere, the civil population is a factor affecting the defence. The present non-military population amounted on the 20th January, 1901, to 302,665, of which 293,303 were Chinese.
Former reports have assumed that half of the population would leave on the out- break of hostilities. The question of their food is discussed hereafter.
27. The Naval Establishment, docks (except those at Aberdeen), and coal stores are within the defences, and the docks will be protected against torpedo boat attack by means of nets, &c., provided by the Dock Companies.
28. All the magazines are reasonably safe so long as no enemy's ships are in the harbour. The Colonial makeshift powder magazine on Stonecutters Island is a source of danger, but plans are now approved for building a proper magazine elsewhere.
General Outline of Defence.
29. The general plan of defence is as follows:---
(i.) To trust to the batteries, submarine mines, and Brennan torpedo to prevent the entrance of ships into the harbour at either end, and to repel by the same means, aided by infantry and guns of the movable armament, the landing of a force in the neighbour- hood of the batteries.
(ii.) To hold the central ridge and gaps, and to prevent an enemy who has landed on the south shore from climbing the steep slopes leading to the central dominant position.
(iii.) To guard against and repel an attack from the mainland by holding with infantry detachments and guns of the movable armament, the passes over the hills running across the Kowloon Peninsula.
30. The following tables contain statements of the garrison and armament :-
Garrison.
IMPERIAL Forces according to Establishment.
icas
draces
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Total of each Branch.
Corps.
British Native Officers. Officers,
W.Os., N.C.Os., and Men.
Officers,
W.Os., N.C.Os. and Men.
British.Native.
5
2
5
2
General Staff
Artillery-
1 Garrison Co.
1 Garrison Co.
1 Garrison Co.
District Establishment
4 Hong Kong Cos.
Engineers-
Fortress Co.
..
Supernumerary Staff
S.M. Co.
S.M. Co. (native portion)
Infy.-
bn. and hdqrs. British infy.
bns., native infy.
A.S.C...
R.A.M.C.
A.P.D. A.O.D.
Army Schools
R.E. Civil Staff
Indian Medical Service
Total
Grand Total
:
::
13
77748
200
200
200
38
8
1,082
44
438
:
:
92
~គន
30
12
72
70
:
264
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888
16
492
33
:89
49
48
48
2,400
2,892
3
9
11
44
11
3
4
7
55
cococo ∞
3
9
44
3
4
7
55
:
:
:
:
:
3
8
8
135
56
4,360
4,551
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