CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5] — Page 179

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

much stake

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better class Chinese, who have as Europeans in the Colony would prove quite capable of giving the necessary protection and holding an in-disposed section of the Chinese population in check.

(6) The building of the new Government Magazines on Green Island is about to be commenced and is recognised as an urgent work, which will be pushed forward with all possible despatch.

(7) Under the Peace Preservation Ordinance (No 15 of 1886) the Governor in Council has power to deport from the Colony any person not a natural-born subject of Her Majesty, whether such person has been naturalised or not, whose banishment appears to the Governor in Council to be necessary for the public safety. This provision gives ample power to deal with individual aliens, even in large numbers, whose presence in the Colony might be considered, after due enquiry, to be inimical to the public safety. Moreover, all the subjects of a Foreign Power with whom England might be at war can be required to leave the Colony in accordance with International Law. No additional power seems necessary to deal with deportation referred to in the first part of paragraph 11 of Major-General Hatton's letter.

With regard to the wholesale deportation of the Chinese, viewed with a view to the reduction of the population requiring to be fed, suggested in the last part of the same paragraph, I submit that it would be a dereliction of our national duty to deport any Chinese possessed of property here, or who had careful avocations remaining for them to follow in time of war. Of course, there are a surplus population of Chinese with no property in the Colony, no employment, and no means of subsistence. I am of opinion that they might properly be deported in the public interest and be landed on behalf of China, should the necessity arise. On this point also, one Unofficial Member of Council agrees with the deputation that they might properly be resorted to in the public interest in respect of the class of persons I have indicated.

I may mention that there are a large number of coolies employed on various public and private building operations and other undertakings in the Colony, large numbers of whom would in all probability be thrown out of work in time of war.

Government House.

178

I submit that it would be preferable to deal with this matter constitutionally by means of a special Ordinance rather than resort to the extreme measure of proclaiming Martial Law to carry out the object in view, and I inclose a draft of Ordinance as I think would meet the case.

(8) In paragraph 12, Major-General Hatton draws attention to a very important point, which has apparently previously escaped the notice it deserved.

The defence of this additional position entails an employment of additional troops, which cannot, as I read the scheme, possibly be spared. It is evident, therefore, that on this ground alone, an addition to the Garrison is desirable.

I have no claim to be able to give anything more than the opinion of an amateur on the question of strength of the Garrison. But I have some knowledge of the ground, which more or less gives strength to my opinion, and I am strongly of the opinion that the Garrison must be occupied in defence of the Colony, and that it is at present inadequate for the safety of the Colony. An addition of 3000 Infantry and Garrison Artillery is required.

Paragraphs 5-8 of Chapter 1 of the scheme describe the line of defence to be held, a length of 13 miles, I believe, and the paragraphs referred to vindicate its difficulties. I submit that a Garrison of some 4000 men is not adequate for the task.

(9) In view of the distances to be covered and the difficult nature of the ground, I concur in Major-General Hatton's recommendation that 150 mules, exclusive of coolies, are necessary for transport purposes.

(10) I come now to Major-General Hatton's recommendation that, in order to place the conduct of the defences on land in the hands of the General Officer Commanding, he should, in the event of hostilities, be constituted the supreme authority in the Colony.

The relations between Major-General Hatton and myself have, as he himself states, been so cordial, that I know...

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much stake AA better class Chinese, who have as Europeans in the Colony would prove quite capable of giving the necessary protection and holding an in-disposed section of the Chinese population in check. (6) The building of the new Government Magazines on Green Island is about to be commenced and is recognised as an urgent work, which will be pushed forward with all possible despatch. (7) Under the Peace Preservation Ordinance (No 15 of 1886) the Governor in Council has power to deport from the Colony any person not a natural-born subject of Her Majesty, whether such person has been naturalised or not, whose banishment appears to the Governor in Council to be necessary for the public safety. This provision gives ample power to deal with individual aliens, even in large numbers, whose presence in the Colony might be considered, after due enquiry, to be inimical to the public safety. Moreover, all the subjects of a Foreign Power with whom England might be at war can be required to leave the Colony in accordance with International Law. No additional power seems necessary to deal with deportation referred to in the first part of paragraph 11 of Major-General Hatton's letter. With regard to the wholesale deportation of the Chinese, viewed with a view to the reduction of the population requiring to be fed, suggested in the last part of the same paragraph, I submit that it would be a dereliction of our national duty to deport any Chinese possessed of property here, or who had careful avocations remaining for them to follow in time of war. Of course, there are a surplus population of Chinese with no property in the Colony, no employment, and no means of subsistence. I am of opinion that they might properly be deported in the public interest and be landed on behalf of China, should the necessity arise. On this point also, one Unofficial Member of Council agrees with the deputation that they might properly be resorted to in the public interest in respect of the class of persons I have indicated. I may mention that there are a large number of coolies employed on various public and private building operations and other undertakings in the Colony, large numbers of whom would in all probability be thrown out of work in time of war. Government House. 178 I submit that it would be preferable to deal with this matter constitutionally by means of a special Ordinance rather than resort to the extreme measure of proclaiming Martial Law to carry out the object in view, and I inclose a draft of Ordinance as I think would meet the case. (8) In paragraph 12, Major-General Hatton draws attention to a very important point, which has apparently previously escaped the notice it deserved. The defence of this additional position entails an employment of additional troops, which cannot, as I read the scheme, possibly be spared. It is evident, therefore, that on this ground alone, an addition to the Garrison is desirable. I have no claim to be able to give anything more than the opinion of an amateur on the question of strength of the Garrison. But I have some knowledge of the ground, which more or less gives strength to my opinion, and I am strongly of the opinion that the Garrison must be occupied in defence of the Colony, and that it is at present inadequate for the safety of the Colony. An addition of 3000 Infantry and Garrison Artillery is required. Paragraphs 5-8 of Chapter 1 of the scheme describe the line of defence to be held, a length of 13 miles, I believe, and the paragraphs referred to vindicate its difficulties. I submit that a Garrison of some 4000 men is not adequate for the task. (9) In view of the distances to be covered and the difficult nature of the ground, I concur in Major-General Hatton's recommendation that 150 mules, exclusive of coolies, are necessary for transport purposes. (10) I come now to Major-General Hatton's recommendation that, in order to place the conduct of the defences on land in the hands of the General Officer Commanding, he should, in the event of hostilities, be constituted the supreme authority in the Colony. The relations between Major-General Hatton and myself have, as he himself states, been so cordial, that I know...
Baseline (Original)
} much staki AA better clafs Chinese, who hast as Europeans in the Colony would prove quits capable of 910ug the necessary protection and holding an in-disposed section of the Chincor population ui 16) The building of the new Gooomment Maqaguit on Green Island is about check. & bi commenced and is recoquisca wih be pushed forward as an urgent work, which with all possible despatch. A (7) Under the Peace Preservation Ordinance (No 15 of 1986) the Governor in Council has power to deport from the Colony any person hot hatural bom subject of Vtis Majuły, whether such person has been hatucalisco or not wokost banishment appears to the Governor in Council to be necepary for the public safety. This provision qives ample power to deal with cidividual alicus. Corn in large humbles, whose prescua u the Colony might be Considered, after due Enquiry to be inimical to the public safety. Morcoon all the subjcels ģ a Foreign Power with whom England might be at car can be required to leave the Colony in the nough of Jufernational Law. No additional power viem kecepany to deal with deportation referred the first part of paragraph 11 of Major-General Hation's latter. with requid with a accoɔance with k C to the wholesale deputetin of the Chinese, View to the reduction of the population requiring to be bed, suggested in paragraph, I submit last part of the same would be thu that it and hat a deriliction Whe of our national duty to deport any cho possessed of proputy here, or who had carsful avocations remaining for them to follow in time of coar. of howton, there 2cm autco offer the outbreak of come, a varplus population of Chicos with no propuły in the Colony, he Employment, meaus of valsstaur I am of opinion that they might property be deported in the public interest and be Euadbed behalf, should tu necepity arise. On this pouit also kaot Unofficial member of Council and Council and he agrees the deputation. might propuly be resurbed to in the public interest in the respect of the class of persons I have indicated. I may mention that this are large Ou the Ab Ordu ance should consatho the Sintor Chuúor at als kincs a buy number of coolico Employed on various public and private buildung opuations and other undertakings in the Colony large numbers of whom would hi all probability be thrown out of work in binic of war. Government Boxse. 178 I submit that it would be preferable to deal with this matter Constitutionally by means of a special Ordinance tather than resort to the Extreme measure of proclaiming Mackal Law Parry out the object in with and Stuclost draft of Ordinance as I think would meet the cast. (8) Jn paragraph 12 Major General Hation draws attention to a ony important pount, which has apparently previously escaped the in ordu such an to holite which it deserved. The defence of this additional position cutails au comployment of additional troops, which cannot, as read the scheme, popibly be spared, it is cident therefore that on Cuis ground alone an addition to the Garrisol is desirable. I have ho claim to be able to give anything more than the opinion of an ameltur on the question of shougth of the Garrison. But I have an Knowledge of the ground which more or less shength for the and I am must in kunste be occupied in defence of the Colony shongly of the opinion that the Garrison is at prescut unadequate for the safety of the Clony addition of 3000 Jufantry and Garrison Artillery is required. Paragraphs 5-8 of Chapter 1. and an the of the scheme describe the line of defence to be held. length of 13 milo, I belicot, and paragraphs referred to, vindicate its difficulties. I submit that a Garrison of some 4000 meu is not adequate for the look. (9) In view of the distances to be coured and the difficult nature of the ground, I concur in Majov. Genial Hation's recommendation that 150 mules, Exclusive of Coolies, are necesary for hausport purposce. (10) come now to Major Genure Hatton's recommedalice. that in orth to place the conduct of the defences on land the general Officer Commanding should in the Locut of hostilities be constituted the supreme in one hand, Authority in the Colony. The relatiour between Major Genuat Hatton and myself have, as he himsdf states, been to cordial, that I know 5.
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much staki

AA

better clafs Chinese, who hast as Europeans in the Colony would prove quits capable of 910ug

the necessary protection and holding an in-disposed section of

the Chincor population ui 16) The building of the new Gooomment Maqaguit on Green Island is about

check.

& bi commenced and is recoquisca

wih be pushed forward

as an urgent work, which with all possible despatch.

A

(7) Under the Peace Preservation Ordinance (No 15 of 1986) the Governor in Council has power to deport from the Colony any person hot hatural bom subject of Vtis Majuły, whether such person has been hatucalisco or not wokost banishment appears to the Governor in Council to be necepary for the public safety. This provision qives ample power to deal with cidividual alicus. Corn in large humbles, whose prescua u the Colony might be

Considered, after due Enquiry to be

inimical to the public safety. Morcoon all the subjcels ģ a

Foreign Power with whom England might be at car can

be required to leave the Colony in

the nough of

Jufernational Law. No additional power viem kecepany to deal with deportation referred

the first part of paragraph 11

of Major-General Hation's latter. with requid with a

accoɔance with

k

C

to the wholesale deputetin of the Chinese, View to

the reduction of the population requiring to be bed, suggested in paragraph, I submit

last part of the same

would be

thu

that

it

and

hat

a deriliction

Whe

of our national duty to deport any cho possessed of proputy here, or who had carsful avocations remaining for them to follow in time of coar. of howton, there 2cm autco offer the outbreak of come, a varplus population of Chicos with no propuły in the Colony, he Employment,

meaus of valsstaur I am of opinion that they might property be deported in the public interest and be Euadbed

behalf, should tu necepity arise. On this pouit also ✔ kaot Unofficial member of Council and

Council and he agrees

the deputation. might propuly be resurbed to in the public interest in the respect of the class of persons I have indicated. I may mention that this are

large

Ou

the

Ab

Ordu ance should

consatho the Sintor Chuúor

at als kincs a buy

number of coolico Employed on various public and private buildung opuations and other undertakings in the Colony large numbers of whom would hi all probability be thrown out of work in binic of war.

Government Boxse.

178

I submit that it would be preferable to deal with this matter Constitutionally by means of a special Ordinance tather than resort to the Extreme measure of proclaiming Mackal Law

Parry out the object in with and Stuclost draft of Ordinance as I think would meet the cast. (8) Jn paragraph 12 Major General Hation draws attention to a ony important pount, which has apparently previously escaped the

in ordu such an

to

holite

which it deserved.

The defence of this additional position cutails au comployment of additional troops, which cannot, as ✔ read the scheme, popibly be spared, it is cident therefore that

on Cuis ground alone an addition to the Garrisol is desirable. I have ho claim to be able to give anything more than the opinion of an

ameltur on the question of shougth of the Garrison. But I have an Knowledge of

the ground which more or less shength for the and I am

must

in kunste

be occupied in defence of the Colony shongly of the opinion that the Garrison

is at prescut unadequate for the safety of the Clony

addition of 3000 Jufantry and Garrison Artillery is required. Paragraphs 5-8 of Chapter 1.

and

an

the

of the scheme describe the line of defence to be held.

length of 13 milo, I belicot, and paragraphs referred to, vindicate its difficulties. I submit that a

Garrison of some 4000 meu is not adequate for the look.

(9) In view of the distances to be coured and the difficult nature of the ground, I concur in Majov. Genial Hation's recommendation that 150 mules, Exclusive of Coolies, are necesary for hausport purposce.

(10) ✓ come now to Major Genure Hatton's recommedalice. that in orth to place the conduct of the defences on land

the general Officer Commanding should in the Locut of hostilities be constituted the supreme

in one hand,

Authority in

the Colony.

The relatiour between Major Genuat Hatton and myself have,

as he himsdf states, been to cordial, that I know

5.

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