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(d.) To form an air port in the scheme of Empire Air Defence. (e.) To provide facilities for the work of aircraft despatched to Hong Kong for possible operations against the Chinese. The recent continued success of the Cantonese makes this the more desirable.
5. The need of facilities for civil and commercial aviation has already made itself apparent, as is seen from the Governor's despatches, and in the near future it is highly probable that a demand will be made for facilities for the operation of commercial aircraft from Hong Kong.
The aerodrome would further serve to accommodate any local air unit which might be raised in the future at Hong Kong for the purpose of interual security and duties connected with the suppression of local piracy.
6. There are several factors which make it essential that the purchase of the Kai Tak site should be made as soon as possible and the work of reclamation commenced :
(a.) If the purchase of the site is made contingent on a favourable interpretation
of the Washington Treaty, it is certain that a very considerable period will elapse before diplomatic negotiations are completed. It is, indeed, likely that a period of years will elapse before the work of reclamation is approved, and a still longer period before it is commenced.
(b.) The Treasury Representative has inferred (U.D.C. 517-M) that the only gain which can accrue from immediate purchase is a possible saving in the price of the site. In the opinion of the Air Staff this understates the case.
If during the period of diplomatic consultations the land is reclaimed as a result of private commercial enterprise, it is likely to be built over to a considerable extent. Not only will the purchase price be ultimately largely increased thereby, but it will become practically and politically impossible compulsorily to acquire the site, since important buildings may already have been erected on it. We may thus be precluded for ever from the use of this land, the only possible aerodrome site at Hong Kong. (c.) If, during the period of investigation, no reclamation measures are under- taken, circumstances may arise when the site will be needed for service purpose at short notice. Reclamation of this nature entails extensive and prolonged work. Still further delay will thus be occasioned before the site can be employed for aviation.
(d.) The portion which has already been reclaimed is not adequate for the operation even of a few small aircraft of the single-seater fighter type, nor is it possible to operate from this area the heavier type of aircraft which would be likely to be required in any offensive operations in the vicinity of Hong Kong.
Air Staff, November 22, 1926,
१
(1) HONG KONG DEFENCE OF, SITL POR AN ALRODROME AND
FORMATION OF A TOČAL POLINE AIR UNIT.
(O.D.C. Faper No. 193)
THE COMMITTEE had under consideration a revised draft of
O.D.C. Memorandum No. 517-M, concerning the acquisition of land on the leasei territory at Hong Kong with a view to eventually constructing an aerodrome, and the formation of
a local police air wait.
THE CHAIRMAN pounted out that after the first draft had been prepared he had come to the conclusion that as the Committee included a Foreign Office representative it would not be correct for recommendations to be submitted to the Oommittee of Imperial Defence without the Foreign Office view fizet having been obtained. He had, therefore, instructed the Secretary to revise the draft in accordance with the opinion whigh had been cbtained from the Foreign Office. MR. CAMPBCLL stated that the Foreign Office concurred generally in the revised draft, but wished to suggest a few minor amendments or wording which he would communicate to the Secretary. As regards the Treasury representative's reservation, this appeared to be primarily a Foreign Office consideration, and in forming their opinion they had considered the possible risk of prejudicing discussion with the other signatories of the Washington Treaty if the land were actually They had, however, acquired before the discussion took place. come to the conclusion that this risk was almost negligible. This international aspect of the question depended largely, on to be financëd the way in which the purchase of the land waS and on the method by which an amouncement of the purchase
was made,
He suggested that it was
probably unnecessary
to announce publicly any military reasons for the acquisition of this land. The Foreign Office were of the opinion that
it would be necessary to approach Jupan and Ameriga as early
as possible, and it was proposed to get negotiations going
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