E&L (1211)-6577-
fice or Individual..
LJ
Story Kong
No.
General 6103
(Subject.)
hoked
Pentrae
૩૪૬.
DOMESTIC.
6103
315
Date.
11808
17.
illar
t
st previous Paper.
"Copy of Circed as to half Governing Colonias dash "Grand" 15012988
absequent Paper
Defence
Inte new spring Ex Governor
9. Sir John Colomb,-To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies,hether his attention has been called to statements alleged to have been made by Sir William Robinson, the late Governor of Hong Kong, relative to the defences of that place:
2.
Whether Sir William Robinson did make such statements:
And, whether Colonial Office regulations prohibit ex-governors com- 3. municating to the public press information relating to the defence of Colonies
acquired during their tenure of office. [Monday 21st March.]
Answer bevors
W. Wingfiel
(Minutes.
Jannex Extract from.
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When questioned regarding recessity of acquiring Mis Bay for the defence of Hong Kong, Sir William Robinson said:
"This is a necessity not only for our own safety, but also for the welfare of the Chinese community. So long as the fleet is in Hong Kong we are safe enough, but it onr hips were suddenly called away say to the North-Hung Kong is perfectly open to attack from the Kow-Loon side of the harbour, which is less than a mile wide. Any foreign Power occupying Mirs Bay and the Kow-Loon Heights could zasily reduce the Hong Kong Forts to ruins in a very short time. Ten thousand foreigu troops landing on the other side of the Kow-Loon Hills from Mits Bay could speedily blow Hong Kong theatre tu Victoria, Flong Kong might, to pieces. By the acquisition of Mrs Bay and the nine miles of
is a matter
The
I should think, be rendered imp
impregnable. This is a doubtless under the consideration of the Government. It is A course which has been suggested
by the Government of Hong Kong, and has been supported by Admirals on the station and by the officers comiounding the
troops cession of Kow-Loun from Mirs Bay on the East to Cap- Sing-Moon Pass on
the west would while of the frontage opposite Hong Kong, as well as an give Biltain the excellent harbour in Mirs Bay. At present the whole of
bis sine miles of territor
of territory not a mile distant (with the exception of a small piece known as British Row-Loon, where the docks are situated) belongs to Chius, but there no reaso to believe that we should experience any in
amculty in obtaining it
from her. apart from the question of defence, it is a neces- sity for Europeans and Chinese alike. Hong Kong is now
this
is
reason to
room for small increase
ao crowded that there is s03/291) je proper training and
of population. In order to
exercise
gronds for
for our garrison
must have more terri
harbour.
tory on the Kow-loon side of the
prosperity of Hong Kong is
The
ong is remarkable, and the loyalty of the Chinese there undoubted, but in the matter of trade Englishmen must wake up if they mean to bold their own. German commercial influence is extending there.
Almost all the best residences are occupied by Germans, and their trade is certainly further increasing This is partly due to the fact that, while British merchants, do not keep pace with the times and limit themselves to supplying the old articles of traile, the German traders aave realised the necessities of the case, and will supply anything that is wanted from a lucifer match to an slephant or even a menagerie."
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN-I have to say that my attention' Las been called to the statements alleged to have been made by Sir William Robinson to a Press representative. I do not know whether the report is correct or not, but I may 335 generally that I entirely disapprove of the prac tice which has recently become common of oficials in the Colonial Service, or
iu that Service, allowing them-
selves to bed (hear, non leaving or arriving in
in England and giving their
able
2016
on debate-
The defence ut public polios, or on matters &fleeting
and
d military resources of British posessions.
I am causing a circular to this effect to he addressed to all
officers in the Colonial Service abroad. (Hear, hear.)
Sir E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT-Is it not a fact that
the defenceless position of Hong Kong, as referred to
The
i of
that
order. Notice should be given
The 2. ATLETTI do not think you
Sir E
heard my question, yet I wish to ask whether it is not a fact that the statements made by or alleged to have been made by Sir W. Robinson simply embrace facts which were known to the whole world?
The SPEAKER-Order, order, That does not arise out of the question.
House of Commons