CO537-(33-34) — Page 922

Ofice. November 12, 1896.

ONG.

Boundaries.

324

il Defence Committee.

Majesty's Government.)

*

ated the 12th October, 1896, on the 1 Defence Committee stated :-

garrison of Hong Kong, provided the north shore of the Lyemun Pass being defence of Hong Kong involves the le eventualities, the occupation of the and the shore south of it. Such action, casus belli by China, and a very large

at Power had to be guarded against at ritime nation. There are other reasons itory at Hong Kong a question of vital with it in a separate Memorandum."

laries of the Colony of Hong Kong sty's Government. On the 9th hed the Colonial Office that as soon Convention were settled a communi- se Government inquiring whether is country of the territory required was decided on in consequence of nd Military Committee on Defence, ted an extension and readjustment rounds, and which was approved by the Lords Commissioners of the

here the strategical reasons which Javal and Military Committee. The came before the Colonial Defence or otherwise of the garrison, and at the portion of the garrison which ish Kowloon was far below what it lent city remained under lax Chinese batteries at East and West Kowloon in the naval depôt and at the docks.

PUBLIC RECORD, OFFICE

Reference :-

mmmmmm C.O.587

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE. LONDON

2

With the town of Kowloon under British jurisdiction, efficient police administration should obviate the necessity of maintaining a considerable military force on the mainland solely for the protection of the works and stores there from the outbreak of an uncontrolled population. The growth of Kowloon is one of the several elements of the question that have materially changed since the Colonial Defence Committee last considered it ten years ago.

4. The Committee would now press on the Government the desirability of taking the action contemplated in the Foreign Office letter of the 9th December, 1895.

M. NATHAN, Secretary,

November 10, 1896.

(Signed)

Colonial Defence Committee.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OPTION BY J. W. WARNINⱭIN.—12/11/96.

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