16.
111
separate the two shoresi
the land ow,
the Chinese side terminating in a steep cliff, which commands the opposite Coast of Hong kong. Consequently
while it is ruost important to have a Fort erected at the Sycemoon Pass, to cover this entrance to the harbour, there is the difficulty to contend withe that the position is commanded
within 500
500 yards by foreign territory.
8. Moreover, when a scheme for the defence, by submarine mines,
J
the entrances to the harbor was
being considered last year, the Commanding Royal Engineer requested but to apply diplomatically to the an Chinese Government for permission
mne
to
to lay
line
A
of
queries across
the
Sycemoon Pass, and also from an
Stonecutter's island, due Kortto, to
the Chinese store. The latter is
12--4-4-4
perhaps not to hellwary, but the
so importance of the former cannot be
oregurated..
&
I however refrained from me making the application, fearing the awkward position in which we should be placed, if by raising the question of our right of water-way, we gave the Chinese Jovernment an opportunity of Jiving a refusal _ an opportunity of which I believe this Government would be only too ready to avail italf
itself. 10. I therefore directed the
Commanding