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Singapore, the War Office, the Admiralty and the Defence Committee
It was pointed out that the Cables between Singapore and Hongkong being landed upon French territory at Cape St. James, placed the communication practically under French control, and in the event of International complications arising, might be easily interfered with to the serious injury of British interests.
It was urged that an additional cable should be laid between Singapore and Hongkong free from foreign control, and the Admiral of the China Station (Sir Nowell Salmon) in supporting the project, expressed the opinion that "even if the line were cut after a declaration of war, the passage over it of a single message to the effect that war was imminent might be worth to this (Hongkong) Colony more than the whole of any subsidy that has been asked".
It was proposed that the second cable should touch at Labuan en route so as to bring that important Coaling station together with British Borneo into telegraphic communication with Hongkong, Singapore and the rest of the Empire; and although the Company was quite ready to co-operate in the matter, and to