CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12] — Page 114

16.

111

separate the two shoresi

the land ow,

the Chinese side terminating in a steep cliff, which commands the opposite Coast of Hong kong. Consequently

while it is ruost important to have a Fort erected at the Sycemoon Pass, to cover this entrance to the harbour, there is the difficulty to contend withe that the position is commanded

within 500

500 yards by foreign territory.

8. Moreover, when a scheme for the defence, by submarine mines,

J

the entrances to the harbor was

being considered last year, the Commanding Royal Engineer requested but to apply diplomatically to the an Chinese Government for permission

mne

to

to lay

line

A

of

queries across

the

Sycemoon Pass, and also from an

Stonecutter's island, due Kortto, to

the Chinese store. The latter is

12--4-4-4

perhaps not to hellwary, but the

so importance of the former cannot be

oregurated..

&

I however refrained from me making the application, fearing the awkward position in which we should be placed, if by raising the question of our right of water-way, we gave the Chinese Jovernment an opportunity of Jiving a refusal _ an opportunity of which I believe this Government would be only too ready to avail italf

itself. 10. I therefore directed the

Commanding