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HONG KONG.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND GENERAL STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS.
Strategic Conditions.
HONG KONG is an important commercial port, and a base for the ships of Her Majesty's navy operating in the Eastern Pacific.
Its strategic situation renders it liable to attack-
1. By the garrison maintained by France in Indo-China.
2. By Japan.
3. By Russia from her base in the Far East.
As regards (1), the French garrison in Indo-China consists in round numbers of 6,000 Europeans and 15,000 natives; but it is widely scattered in small detachments over an extensive area, the population of which is to a great extent hostile. It has been calculated, therefore, that the largest force which could be put in the field for offensive purposes would not be more than 4,400 infantry (European and native), and four mountain batteries. Saïgon, the port of Indo-China, is 900 miles distant from Hong Kong. It has a fair harbour, and is protected by the difficulties of navigation. Hanoi, a secondary French port, is 500 miles distant.
France has recently acquired the harbour of Kwang-Chau, east of the Lien-Chau Peninsula, thus advancing her frontier half-way between Tongking and Hong Kong; but whatever importance this may have in the future, Kwang-Chau may be treated at present as a roadstead, being without dockyards, fortifications, &c., and not available as a base of operations.
As regards (2), Japan has proved her capability of sending a military expedition. of over 60,000 men across the seas. She has ample means of transport and good bases. Nagasaki is 1,050 miles from Hong Kong, while the new advanced base, Formosa, is but 475 miles.
As regards (3), the Russian base, Vladivostock, is 1,650 miles from Hong Kong; but the acquisition by Russia of Port Arthur, a fortified ice-free port at the extremity of the Liatung Peninsula, brings Russia within 1,200 miles of Hong Kong; but in passing out of the Gulf of Pechili her ships would have to pass the British harbour of Wei Hai Wei. Moreover, when the Siberian Railway is finished, and in efficient working order--an event which may be expected early in the twentieth century-the military power of Russia in the Far East will be materially increased. At present, however, it is not thought that Russia, either acting by herself or in combination with France, could furnish men for a military expedition against Hong Kong; but her increased Eastern navy, if acting from French bases, could much facilitate the transport of a French expeditionary force from Indo-China.
Germany maintains a small fleet in Far Eastern waters, but it may at present be said to refit at Hong Kong.
The fleet of China may for the present be neglected; but if allied with France or Russia, her twenty torpedo-boats at Whampoa, not all effective however, might be
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