CO885(3-4) — Page 509

188

Inclosure 2 in No. 203.

Report to His Excellency J. Pope Hennessy, C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong.

(Secret and Confidential.)

THE Committee thought that, under the particular circumstances of the case, they could best carry out the investigation committed to them by drawing up a series of ques- tions for submission to certain selected gentlemen of position and special knowledge of the subject-matters of the inquiry. Accordingly that was done, and the written answers to these questions will be found in the Appendices.

The Committee having taken into consideration the evidence thus obtained, have arrived at the following opinione :—

The danger to which Hong Kong might be exposed in the event of war with any of the Great Powers would probably be deliberate, protracted attack by a large, well-organized, formidable expedition specially prepared for the purpose, or else a sudden descent, in the nature of a raid, by a small force which had eluded our fleet for a brief time. To meet such an eventuality as the first mentioned, the Colony should be defended by a much larger force than, it is to be presumed, would ever be maintained permanently in it, and therefore the Committee, leaving to Imperial consideration such a case, in regard to which, presumably, there would be ample time to make special preparations, have addressed them- selves to the task alone of investigating how the defence of Hong Kong could best be supplemented by auxiliary forces as against the ordinary dangers to which it might be exposed in times of war.

The existing strength of the garrison of Hong Kong is: one battalion European infantry; one battery European artillery; one company gun lascars; one small detach- ment Royal Engineers.

A second company of gun lascars has been authorized, and is about to be raised, and therefore, for the purposes of this investigation, it may be considered as forming part of the garrison. As regards the artillery, this force seems hardly sufficient for the demands that probably will be made upon it, and the Committee recommend that about fifty men be added to the "gun lascars." The cost of these fifty additional men would be about 8501. per annum.

As regards the infantry, the Committee recommend that an auxiliary force of non- Europeans, about 1,200 to 1,500 strong, should be available at any time of apprehended attack. It is proposed that there should be a peace establishment cadre permanently embodied; the strength being 600 men, but the regiment to be complete in officers and non-commissioned officers, after the model of an Indian native corps. The best material for this force would be found among the Punjabees, and preferably in the Muzbee Sikhs. The force could be increased to the required extent by raising the men in India from among the trained soldiers who are always ready for service as soon as war appeared to be possible, the Indian Government being requested to facilitate the enrolment of the force. Of course the expense of raising and conveying to Hong Kong a force of Sikhs would be greater than that of enrolling Chinese, but the Committee can only recommend the employment of Chinese for combatant purposes on a small scale as an experiment. The Hakkas seem to be the best available material among the Chinese, as being physically stronger, braver, and more independent of Mandarin authority and influence than most other Chinese. The experiment might be tried, in the first instance, with a Chinese company officered by Europeans. The cost of such company would be about 3,0001. per 100 men per annum, including rations and clothing.

As regards the expense of the Sikh regiment, it would be about 3,8751. per 100 men per annum, including rations and clothing, but not the conveyance of the men to Hong Kong, which would cost about 8001. per 100 men, The cost of barrack accommodation would be about 5,000l. per 100 men.

As to the part that the auxiliary forces recommended by the Committee should take in the defence of the Colony, the Committee propose that these forces should act in combination or conjunction with the regular infantry in protecting the batteries, and in resisting any landing or attack on the island.

As to the training of the auxiliary force, the Committee recommend that the same method should be followed as that in a native regiment in India. If necessary, assistance in training the force, on its first establishment, might be obtained from the regular troops in the garrison.

With reference to the provision of a small corps to assist the Royal Engineers in laying out submarine mines, the Committee think that the skilled labour being supplied by the Royal Engineers, the unskilled labour might be obtained, when required, from the

189

resources of the Naval Yard and "Victor Emanuel," and also of the mercantile marine and local boat population.

The Committee are of opinion that the volunteer force of Hong Kong should be augmented and fostered in every way. It would seem desirable that a capitation grant should be given to all "efficient ;" that free ammunition be given to them yearly; that the expenses of annual practice should be borne by the Government; that a proper and gas- lighted drill-shed and armoury should be provided for them; that the efficient members of the corps should be exempt from sitting on juries; that an officer of the regular army should be attached to the corps as an Adjutant; that the corps should be inspected periodically by the Officer Commanding the Troops in the Colony; that the force should be exercised in conjunction with the regular troops; that it should be armed with Martini- Henry rifles; and that every encouragement possible should be given to the volunteers to compete for prizes and badges at the periodical exercises.

With reference to the remarks of his Excellency the Governor-vide Appendix (A, No. 54-as to the basis of the Committee's investigation being too restricted, the Com- mittee would explain that a land attack by Kowloon would be very difficult, as the neck of land is extremely defensible by field works, field artillery, and infantry, heavy guns not being required for the purpose.

And

As to the protection of the Pokfolum Reservoir, that work cannot be seen from the sea, and it could be protected by a small infantry force from any attack upon it. with regard to Aberdeen, as the Kowloon Dock could be deepened to take the largest iron-clads in these waters, it would appear to be inexpedient to attempt the very formidable task of defending that place, which is only valuable for its docks. ✓

(Signed)

て

Hong Kong, February 17, 1880.

(Secret and Confidential.)

W. J. STUART, Colonel, Chairman.

M. S. TONNOCHY, Acting Colonial Treasurer.

L. F. HALL, Lieutenant-Colonel R.A., Commanding

Royal Artillery, China and Straits Settlements.

A. D. GEDDES, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding

27th Inniskillings.

C. V. CREAGH, Acting Police Magistrate.

* Inclosure 3 in No. 203.

Government House, Hong Kong, February 19, 1880.

Sir,

I HAVE the honour to submit to your Excellency a copy of the Report of the Secret and Confidential Committee appointed in November last, under instructions from Her Majesty's Government, to consider my proposal of raising a local corps to supplement the small Imperial force ordinarily maintained in the Colony. I also inclose, for your Excellency's information, a copy of the Minute appointing the Committee, together with the two Appendices containing the evidence taken by the Committee.

2. I have not had time to get the Appendices copied, and I should be glad to haye them back as soon as your Excellency favours me with any remarks you may desire to make upon the Report.

(Signed)

His Excellency Major-General Donovan, Commanding Her Majesty's troops, Hong Kong, China, and Straits Settlements,

&c.

&c.

&c.

J. POPE HENNESSY,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief.

[1093]

8 D

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-.

TICO. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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