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HONG KONG.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS.
CHAPTER L
Strategic Conditions.
HONG KONG is the naval base and headquarters of His Majesty's ships on the China Station, and the most important British commercial port abroad. Its geographical situation in reference to other ports in the Far East is shown by the following table of shortest navigable distances:-
Weihaiwei
Singapore
Labuan
Vladivostock
Port Arthur
Nagasaki..
Yokohama
Formosa ..
Pescadores (Makung)
Kiao-chau
Sea miles.
1,170
Chemulpo
1,440
Shanghai..
1,080
Canton
1,560
Whampoa
1,250
Macao
1,070
Port Courbet
1,560
Hué
350
Hanoi
317
Saigon
1,080
Manila
Sea miles.
1,170
810
74
64
40
460
500
540
910
630
2. Before considering the strategic conditions which govern the functions and strength of the garrison and fixed defences of Hong Kong, it may be useful to enumerate the military forces and defended ports of foreign powers in the Far East.
3. The peace strength of the garrison of French Indo-China is now 34,000 men, of whom 14,000 are Europeans. In the event of war, an additional force of at least 12,000 reservists and 11,000 "gardes indigènes" would be available, besides 8,000 or 9,000 able-bodied Europeans in emergency. The native troops are composed of indifferent personnel, and the military position is still considered somewhat precarious, although the internal conditions of the country are improving. The nearest French fortified base to Hong Kong is Port Courbet, 460 miles distant.
4. Russia is at present at war with Japan, and it is impossible to forecast her future military and naval position in the Far East.
5. The number of German troops in China is now 4,370, including the garrison of Kiao-chau, which is being increased. There are also about 400 reservists at Kiao-chau, who can be called out when required.
The new harbour works at Kiao-chau are progressing, but the German squadron may be said to refit at Hong Kong.
6. The strength of the United States' garrison in the Philippines is about 13,200 regular troops. There are, in addition, 5,000 Philippine Scouts, commanded by United States' officers, and 6,300 Philippine Constabulary, officered by Americans and Philippinos. Some progress has been made with the naval dockyard at Kavite, in Manila Bay, but the larger ships of the United States' Asiatic and Philippine
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