carefully consider schemes of defence which could be put in operation immediately. It appears, however, to me that the possession of accurate knowledge as to the details of defences confers an unquestionable advantage upon the attack. Much information can doubtless be acquired, as you pointed out, "by observation from neighbouring ground on public thoroughfares, boats in the vicinity." But much more information of a more detailed nature is evidently desired by the personal inspection of Experts, which has occurred frequently owing to the lack of simple measures of precaution. The argument that, because certain evils cannot be prevented, greater evils should be voluntarily accepted does not commend itself to me.
I desire to draw your Attention to the fact that the Revue Militaire de l'Étranger of the 30th March contains a detailed account of the defences of Hongkong which bears the appearance of "being the result of careful study on the spot," so much so that it seems to have had the facilities pointed out by Admiral Hamilton. The writer of the article in question proceeds to quote an opinion stated to have been expressed on the offensive capability of the new " forts " on the Island.
Under these circumstances, I learn with grave concern that the defences to which Admiral Hamilton draws attention are extremely defective. I desire to assure myself that you will promptly & properly take the steps necessary to ensure that a recurrence of such a state of affairs will not happen again.
I desire to point out in conclusion that heavy responsibility mainly rests upon the authorities on the spot, upon whom resident duty it is to safeguard the Imperial interests, to foresee risks of such an obvious nature, and to take such action as may be necessary without waiting for instructions from this office.
Page 363
Page 363
It appears the original text was split into pages with "Page 363" appearing at both the top and bottom. I've kept the page numbering as per the original instructions. Here is the revised response in HTML format as requested:carefully consider schemes of defence which could be put in operation immediately. It appears, however, to me that the possession of accurate knowledge as to the details of defences confers an unquestionable advantage upon the attack. Much information can doubtless be acquired, as you pointed out, "by observation from neighbouring ground on public thoroughfares, boats in the vicinity." But much more information of a more detailed nature is evidently desired by the personal inspection of Experts, which has occurred frequently owing to the lack of simple measures of precaution. The argument that, because certain evils cannot be prevented, greater evils should be voluntarily accepted does not commend itself to me.
I desire to draw your Attention to the fact that the Revue Militaire de l'Étranger of the 30th March contains a detailed account of the defences of Hongkong which bears the appearance of "being the result of careful study on the spot," so much so that it seems to have had the facilities pointed out by Admiral Hamilton. The writer of the article in question proceeds to quote an opinion stated to have been expressed on the offensive capability of the new "forts" on the Island.
Under these circumstances, I learn with grave concern that the defences to which Admiral Hamilton draws attention are extremely defective. I desire to assure myself that you will promptly & properly take the steps necessary to ensure that a recurrence of such a state of affairs will not happen again.
I desire to point out in conclusion that heavy responsibility mainly rests upon the authorities on the spot, upon whom resident duty it is to safeguard the Imperial interests, to foresee risks of such an obvious nature, and to take such action as may be necessary without waiting for instructions from this office.
Page 363
Page 363
carefully
considlund schemes of defence which could be put in operation
ampurine. It
}
}
with aut
delay
en
appears, however, to me for it. Holland - and in this thin the War Office & Admiralty entire
Еси ситно
that
the pommin of accurate knowledge as to the details of defences confers an unquestionable advantage upon the attack. Much information can doubther to acquired as you pointed out
hair
" by observation fun
ground on
puthic thoroughfares, boats in the vicinity." But much more information command that of
A
more detailed nature
Car
evidently to desired by the personal
inspection of
there appians to br
believe
reason to
Experts, which rxperts,
Evry fumed owning tolly
has occurred failure & provide
to the sunce of
simple measles
of precaution. Aragacan argument that, breause certain
The
Gro
17.0.87
Evils cannot be promited, greater
Girls should be vot
voluntarily
itself to
dows not commend its
Holland. It miset.
accepited
for A
I denne to draw your Attention to the fact that the Revue Militaine de l'Étranger of the 30th
march cuteins a detailed account
of
the defences of Hungking which beans the appearance of "bing the result of
careful study
on the spot, so
Allwomat #edition coming the facilities
for which wen
pointed out by Adminal 291
tu article
Stamilton. The writer of the
in question cour procides to quote
han ben expend
an opinion stated to han ben Expend
to the offension capability
flow cuttin
by
If you as
one of the new " " batimes on
Island.
Under these circumstances,
Lean the Her G
that the girls to which
comidey that
Achuinal Itanillen draw attention are
Extrandly
asure yourself that you with permally
& preost the steps taken fully suffice to me, thean recurence.
grave anded the trusty that
in such matting a
I denne to point out in anclusion that heavy responsibility mamainly nots upon the authorities on the thot whom reident dusty it is to safeguard the Imperial interents, to forese risks of such an obvious nature of to take such action as many reanary
without waiting for instructions from Othis office.
Shan
tr
ļ
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.