CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 370

Tulle Semet

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ENCES OP HONG KONG,

Erle Hall, Plympton,

2nd May 1898,

14

Sår,

In reply to your letter of the 25th instant,

informing me that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty

desire me to furnish them with a detailed statement, showing

in what respeak the defences of Hong Kong are insufficient,

I have the honour to submit that until there is a

readjustment of the boundaries of the Colony, the protection of Hong Kong is defective, unless as I previously remarked

in my letter of 5th March 1898, a Naval Force could be

spared in War time to protect the Colony,

2.

The approaches to Hong Kong at prosent belong to

China even the Igemoon Pass scarcely exceeding è mile in

breadth partly belongs to China, The Kowloon Batteries, and Mercantile Dooks upon which our Ships in China are dependent, the Coal and Torpedo Stores &o ar Kowloon are

commanded by the line of hills at the back. Mirs Bay would be open to the enemy, and landing parties at night could easily come over the passes and do serious injury to our possessions : even admitting China was not at war with England, and was most favourably disposed towards her, she is not in a position to enfores her neutrality.

3.

that

For the better security of the Colony I submit

Secretary of the ADMIRALTY,

(s) All the Islands in the vicinity of Hong Kong:

(b)