Confidential.
No. 12.
14392
346 secret
From Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian A.G.Bridge.
To H. E. the Officer Administering the Government.
Sir,
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
CHINA STATION. 20th February, 1902.
In reply to your letter No. 14/G (Confidential) of the 6th instant addressed in my absence to Rear Admiral Grenfell, relative to the potential value of Pratas Island, I have the honour to say that I concur with Your Excellency in thinking that the instructions of H. M. Government should be obtained.
2. Of the Pratas, I have no knowledge of the international status.
The Island is rather less than 800 miles from Hong Kong and if it belonged to no country might form, not perhaps a regular base of operations, but a convenient rendezvous at which a moderate-sized ship or ships about to make a hasty raid on the trade in the immediate neighbourhood of Hong Kong could fill up with coal at the last moment.
4. It is improbable, if it were in our possession, that we should fortify and garrison it to the point of denying its use to ships as above alluded to.
5. The Japanese already have what they call a "Strategic" port at the Pescadores not much over 100 miles farther from Hong Kong than the Pratas. If they have the latter their power would not be very largely increased. It is perhaps better that they should have it than anyone else.
I have etc.,
(SD), CYPRIAN A.G.BRIDGE.