Page 328
Page 328
300
Appendix No. 4. Malays, or any other material, to supplement the small Imperial force ordinarily maintained in Hong Kong, and of turning every available and trustworthy local means to account by organizing it so as to make upthe garrison to what is requisite for an effective defence in time of war.
HONG KONG.
I herewith lay before the Committee a copy of the correspondence noted in the margin,* and
request that they may report on :-
1. The strength of the garrison requisite for the defence of the Colony.
2. On the constitution of the force, bearing in mind that it is most desirable that the regular forces should not be increased if any other arrangement is possible.
3. Whether a trustworthy auxiliary force can be raised within the Colony to aid the garrison in the defence, and if so-
4. What should be its constitution, and whether it should be permanently embodied or should be of the nature of a militia, to be trained in the first instance, and afterwards called out periodically.
5. The part such force should take in the defence.
6. The method of training the force, and the amount of assistance to be rendered by the garrison in training it.
7. The provision of officers, and whether, in the event of the force being constituted as a militia, they could be procured on the spot.
8. Also the provision of a small corps to assist the Royal Engineers in laying out the submarine mines which have been sent out to aid in the defence of the Colony.
It is expected that the Report will deal in detail with all these points, and with estimates of the cost which might attend the raising of any force the Committee may recommend.
On looking through the correspondence the Committee will see that my original proposal contemplated enlisting Chinese in Hong Kong for service in India and elsewhere, as well as in the Colony. The question, however, of raising additional troops now submitted to the consideration of the Committee is confined to the enlistment of auxiliary forces for service within Hong Kong, and is not to extend to the question of enlisting forces for service out of the Colony.
J. POPE HENNESSY.
Government House, Hong Kong, November 20, 1879.
(Signed)
Inclosure 3 in No. 87.
Governor Hennessy to Sir M. Hicks Beach.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Government House, Hong Kong, December 16, 1879. WITH reference to my despatch of the 22nd ultimo, I have the honour to report that, having consulted General Donovan, and with his sanction, I appointed Commissary-General Moore Secretary to the Local Committee on Auxiliary Forces.
2. I inclose, for your information, a copy of some questions the Chairman of the Committee sent to me, and (I understand) to about a dozen military officers, together with a copy of my reply.
3. I did not feel justified at this stage of the inquiry in venturing to discuss in detail the strength of the garrison that would be needed to provide an effective defence for Hong Kong in time of war. I confined myself to indicating generally the scheme of defence I thought necessary, and expressing the opinion that it would require a considerable increase in the present garrison.
4. Though by no means competent to form any definite opinion on the question at this moment, yet, if pressed to do so, I should be disposed to say that, including auxiliary forces, the present garrison ought to be increased five-fold to provide an adequate defence for Hong Kong in such a contingency as a war in which China and a European Power might be united against us.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. POPE HENNESSY.
* (1) Governor Hennessy, May 24, 1878, suggesting raising auxiliary force of Chinese for service in Hong Kong, India, or elsewhere; (2) Sir Thomas Wade's Report, Sept mber 33, 1878, on this suggestion; (3) General Donovan's inquiries respecting local cor s, July 31, 1878; (4) Governor's repl, August 2, 1878; (5) secretary for War, January 8, 1879, suggesting an inquiry in Hong Kong on the subject; (6) ecretary for War, April 19, 1879, further as to inquiry in Hong Kong: (7) Governor, May 14, 1878, on the defence of the Colony; (8) Governor, May 18, 1878, on the active measures of the military anthorities in providing batteries; (9) Colonial Office to War Ofice, on same subject, July 9, 1878; (10) Corre- spond nce between Governor and Officer in command of troops, from March to May, 1878, on same subject.
(2)
(ITRI
(1) printed in Colonial Office Correspondence, Miscellaneous No. 35 E (No. 235).
(9)
Nos. 3, 4, and 10 not printed.
(No. 346). No. 38 (No 3).
(No. 22). No. 35 E (No. 179). (No. 216). (No. 226).
Page 328
Page 328
Page 328