CO129-367 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [6-7] — Page 467

13A

P Y.

4/5th Sout

Hongkong, January 21st.,1910.

465

I..90 dan Bowel beno-

My dear Sir Frederick,

With reference to the interesting discussion

which we have had at Government House on the subject of the Hongkong Defences, I should like to explain briefly to you

what I believe to be the views of the Imperial General Staff aB

regards Imperial Defence as a whole.

I do not propose to weary you by entering

into detail but simply to state the fundamental principles

which are the root and groundwork of the system,

Whilst the idea of Imperial Federation

for purposes of Defence has existed for many years past, the

first occasion upon which it received practical expression was

during the late South African War.

Such was the effect produced that a year or

7.

two later the question was seriously taken up and ernest

endeavour was made to give definite shape and form to a great

patriotic sentiment which had made its potential existence clear-

-ly felt by the spontaneous effort which had been made in all

parts of the Empire at a time of great stress and trial.

Conferences have been convened from time to

time by the Secretary of State for th Colonies which have been

attended by the responsible representatives of the Colonies. The

subject of Imperial Defence has been thoroughly discussed.

Endeavour has been made to organize, and to put this great

'3

principle into practice, and certain definite conclusion and

standings underealstags have now been arrived at.

The Crown Colonies like the Self-Governing

Colonies joined in the general outburst of patriotic feeling

during the war and some of them furnished valuable contingent.

For the purpose of placing you in possession

of the main principles underlying the system of Imperial

Defence it is only necessary for me to state that the Imperial

General Staff look to the Colonies to provide for two main

essentials