CONFIDENTIAL.
From
The General Officer Commanding
in China and Hong Kong.
350
22305
RECY
∞
REC 21 AUG 99
To
His Excellency the Governor
Hong Kong.
Sir,
Head Quarters, 13th July 1899.
I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a
report received from Major Morris, Royal Artillery, re-
lating to his opinions on the defences of Amoy.
In accordance with his instructions Major Morris con-
fined himself to pure generalities whilst at Amoy, alleging
that he required instruments &c., which were at Hong
Kong, before he could formally submit any report. But
he informs me that the Amoy authorities will be dissatisfied
if no report reaches them soon, and I submit that, as they
have not only paid England the compliment of selecting an
English Officer to give the advice, but that also it is of
benefit to England to be in full possession of all infor-
mation, so it would be undesirable that any great delay
were made in the report which might cause suspicion in
the minds of the Chinese and might prevent similar action
elsewhere.
Major Morris informs me that were Amoy a British pos-
session, and he were given a free hand to defend it, he
would have no hesitation in recommending the construc-
tion of Forts on the two islands of Tsing seu and Seaotan
guarding the only entrance to the harbour; but he de-
clares his belief that the Chinese Authorities would con-
sider this too expensive to entertain for a moment.
Major Morris says that although this undoubtedly
would be the best defence were the matter one of British
interests, yet that he is prepared to waive it, and recom-
mend formally the other alternative submitted in the