CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 327

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THE DEFENCES OF HONG-KONG.

SIR WILLIAM ROBINSON'S VIEWS.

A representative of Router's Agency yester- day had an interview with Sir William Robinson, wha has just arrived in England on the completion of his term of six years as Governor of Hong-Kong. Dis- cussing the present political situation in the Far East Sir William said :-

"I must say I do not share the alarm felt by some regarding the political situation in Chius, neither do I believe that Russia's policy in that part of the world should be regarded as necessarily inimical to us. I approve entirely of Germany's action in taking Kiao- Chan. She did exactly what we might have done, and what we shall probably ultimately have to do it friendly concessions are not made to us. In pursuing her present course Russia is simply carrying out a definite policy which she has been steadily and with determination pursuing for years--a policy which, as I have said, is not unfriendly to us, but which in any case it is now too late for us to attempt to stop, I ડ્રેન not believe that the acquisition by the Czar's Government of Port Arthur will do any harm to England, if that and other ports are kept open. So long as we have Frea Trade, Russia's action will not only not hamper us, butt will even be in some ways helpful. Sho intends to come as far as Port Arthur, and I do not believe she will come further. Already sho practically possessed the whole of Manchuria. Wo must recognise that Russia means to have an open port, and under the conditions bave mentioned I am in favour of 赶到 entente with Russia, the result of which would be of mutual advantage. Our own policy is, above all things, to insist upon Freet Trade and an open door. That is all we want; and as the policy of Germany and the United States is in this respect identical with our own, we should work with those countries in the accomplishment of our aim. We ought undoubtedly to keep a firm hold of the whole: of the Yangtse Valley. Beyond all this, we must insist on the fulfilment of all the Clauses of the famous Tientsinj Treaty, and if the Imperial Government of China object, coercion, in my humble opinion, should follow Although I do not believe that the partition of China, has yet commenced, there is a feeling in Hong-Kong and Shanghai that the provincos cannot long holdi together. Already they are to a certain extent indo/ pendout, not only of each other, but also of the) Imperial Government."

Asked, in conclusion, regarding the necessity of acquiring Mirs Bay for the defence of Hong-Kong, Bir William Robinson said :-

"This is a necessity, not coly for our own safety, but for the welfare of the Chinese community. So long as the Fleet is in Hong-Kong we are safe enough, but if our ships were suddenly called away-say to the northý -Hong-Kong is perfectly open to attack from the Kowloon side of the harbour, which is less than a mile wido. Any foreign Power occupying Mirs Bay and the Kowloon Heights could easily reduce the Hong-Kong forts to cuins in

very short time. Ten thousand foreign troops landing on the other side of the Kowloon Hills from Mirs Bay could speedily blow Hong-Kong to pioccs. By the acquisition Mirs Bay and the ning iniles of Kowloon opposite to Victoria, Hong-Kong might, I should think, be rendered impregnable. This is a matter, doubtless, under the consideration of the Government. It is a course which has been suggested by the Government of Hong-Kong, and has been sup ported by Admirals on the station and by the officers commanding the troops. The cession of Kowloon from Mirs Bay Un tho east

Cap Eing Moon Pass on the west would give England the whole of the frontage opposite Hong-Kong, as well as an excellent barbour in Mirs Fay. At present the whole of thus nine miles of territory, not a raile distant (with the exception of a small piece known as British Kowloon, where the docks are situated), belongs to Chine, but there is no reason to believe that we should experience any insuperable difficulty in obtaining it from her."

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