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argumenta'

139

The contention that the garrison of Hongkong is

maintained largely for the defence of Imperial interests in

the Far East, including the Naval coaling station in this

Colony, is one which merits more serious consideration, and

is held by many whose opinion is entitled to carry weight.

I have already (p. 7) dealt with the question of the defence of the Naval Docks sto., but I would sadh further

romark in this connection. The docks and coal depots re-

present an Imperial asset of immense capital value, which in

case of war the Imperial Government could not afford to risk,

not merely on account of their intrinsio value but because

Or the vital necessity of preventing their falling into the

hands of a hostile Power. This fact constitutes a guarantee

of active Naval protection in time of war which is of immens

value to Hongkong.

an the exigencies of a great war it is recognised

that certain outlying parts of the Empire might for a time

have to take their chance' of capture by an enemy's fleet,

but the fact of Hongkong being a great Naval Base relieves

it of this fear. As a Naval Station moreover it benefitą

from the presence of British and Foreign ships of war in its

harbour.

If we could assume the possibility of transfer

of the Naval Base from Hongkong to, say, Singapore, involving

on the one hand the possible abandonment of this Colony in

time of war and on the other hand a very considerable re-

duction in the cost of its Land Forces, and therefore of its

Military Contribution, is it conceivable that there would be

one single British inhabitant, or loyal British subject,

who would advocate such a change ↑ The defence of our Nayal

Station here, in so far as Land Forces and armanents can

protect them, is an integral part of the existence of the

Colony

„'a‡cemurg'lo1

13

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