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2
Of the enclosed area four-fifths at the western end has been appropriated to the British Government, and one-fifth at the eastern end to that of France.
Besides the Consular offices, there is a church, library, reading rooms, &c. The estimated foreign population of Canton is 700, most of whom reside in Shameen. There are about 150 British subjects resident in Shameen and about 83 living outside, distributed in the city of Canton and suburbs on both sides of the river. The two stone bridges referred to above are still standing. The canal is very muddy, usually contains three or four feet of water, and is not considered to be easily fordable. Usually, however, it is full of sampans and other craft. We are informed by the late Commodore, Hong Kong, that the canal can be easily cleared, and that replacement of the craft can be prevented by stationing gunboats so as to enfilade the waterway and the buildings bordering on it,
Present Defences.
5. The whole of the canal front at Shameen, including the two bridges, is at present protected by barbed wire along its whole length, and the French have two field guns in their concession.
....
The
There are five British gunboats now stationed at Shameen. Three of these are the Insect class (each carrying two 6-inch guns and one 3-inch_gun). remaining two are the Moorhen and Robin, ships of a smaller class, drawing only two feet of water. The speed of the latter is between seven and eight knots.
Routes of Eracuation.
"
6. The main communication between Hong Kong and Canton is by the Canton River. This is heavily fortified, and divided for defence into three sections. The Lower Section comprises Sha-Kek, Tai-Kok-Tao and Pou-chao. The Centre Section comprises A-neung-hoi, Sheng-wang-t'ong and Ha- wang-tong.
The Upper Section comprises Danes Island, Yu-chu and Sha-lou. The number of guns is:-
Lower Section
Centre Section
Upper Section
---..
24 cm
21 cm. 13
15 cm.
13.8 cm.
10 23
5 6
6
The armament is known to be very antiquated, and we have no information as to the amount of ammunition that may be available or as to the proficiency of the gun crews. We know, however, that in August last the forts on Danes Island carried out some target practice, and we have reason to believe that last year the Canton Government were trying to obtain ammunition and contact mines, in addition to aircraft. from abroad. Even if the crews are comparatively untrained and the ammunition is limited, the forts must constitute a certain menace to passing ships in view of the narrowness of the river.
As already stated in our previous report (Paper No. C.O.S. 60), communication is possible at any time of the year with Shameen by routes (such as Moneypenny Creek) which avoid the defended channel.
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We are informed that the three gunboats of the ** Insect class draw too much water to be able to negotiate these alternative routes at the present time of the year. Special arrangements would, therefore, be necessary for their early withdrawal by the main channel. The smaller gunboats and sampans, which would have to be used in finally evacuating the concession. would have no navigational difficulty in negotiating these creeks. These routes, however, are narrow in some parts and pass through a densely populated district, though in the past the inhabitants have been well disposed towards us. All risk of interference with the final evacuation of the concession cannot, therefore, be precluded. We feel bound to warn the Committee of Imperial Defence of this risk.
Possibility of Defending the Concession.
7. Rear-Admiral Stirling confirmed the views of the local authorities at Hong Kong, which we accepted in our last report, that it should be possible to defend Shameen against the mob with the naval and military resources available at Hong Kong, but he suggested the advisability not only of withdrawing Europeans now residing outside the concession to the Island of Shameen, but also of evacuating all non-combatants at an early stage. He informed us that such persons could be
3
evacuated down the main stream to a point clear of danger from the shore within five hours. We concur in this view, and consider that the man on the spot should be left to decide when indications of impending mob violence render evacuation of non-combatants advisablė.
The evidence of Rear-Admiral Stirling also confirmed our previously expressed view that we cannot expect, with or without the co-operation of the French, to hold out indefinitely against serious attack by the Cantonese troops with the forces likely to be available for the defence of Shameen. It has, however, inclined us to the opinion that offensive action by aircraft, or even the threat of it, which we deal with in more detail below, might well have the result of preventing organised attack on the concessions.
Bombing and Blockade of Canton.
8. In our previous Report we stated that, in our opinion, the threat which the Acting Consul-General, Canton, proposed to make to the local Chinese General, if translated into action, would be calculated to precipitate hostilities and might hasten the crisis at Shanghai. The latest decision of His Majesty's Government, quoted in paragraph 1 of this Report, alters the position.
9 We were particularly impressed by the evidence of Rear-Admiral Stirling on the susceptibility of the Chinese to threats, particularly if these are backed up by evidence of strength. To illustrate this he informed us that in August last certain strike pickets holding British wharves at Canton were told that, if they did not evacuate them at once, we would sink their strike picket boats. The next morning it was found that the pickets had gone, the picket boats had been removed to a point some 10 miles down the river, an enclosure had been roped in round the wharves and police were stationed to keep the strike pickets out. Since then neither the pickets nor the boats have returned.
10. Rear-Admiral Stirling held the view that the threat to bomb or shell vital points in Canton, and finally to blockade the city, particularly if followed at once by some demonstration of force (e.g., the appearance of aircraft), would have a considerable deterrent effect on the Cantonese, and that the effect of actual bombing or shelling would in all probability be enormous. He also suggested action by aircraft to cover an evacuation if and when this should prove necessary.
11.
In view of this decided expression of opinion by an officer possessing considerable local knowledge, we are now disposed to agree to a threat being conveyed by the Consul-General to the Chinese General in Command of the forces at Canton. We suggest, however, that the threat should be couched in vague though decided terms, no actual mention being made of bombing by aircraft or shelling. In order that the greatest possible effect should be derived from the conveyance of this threat to the Chinese, we recommend that discretion should be given to the Acting Consul-General in concert with the Commodore at Hong Kong to arrange for a demonstration over Canton of as many British aircraft as possible at the moment that the communication is being made.
12. In the opinion of Rear-Admiral Stirling a blockade of Canton would have a considerable effect on the Cantonese Government. We therefore recommend that a blockade should be included in the measures to be approved if an attack on Shameen takes place. In this connection we note from a recent telegram that the French are also prepared to undertake such a measure.
Use of Aircraft.
13. The naval aircraft at present available at Hong Kong can reach Canton, but the range and carrying capacity will be considerably curtailed if the use of a land aerodrome is not permitted.
Hitherto, aircraft has not been permitted to operate from the Kowloon Aero- drome, which is ready for use, in view of possible objections that might be taken by other signatories to the Washington Agreement. We would suggest, however, that as the use of aircraft is now contemplated only against the Chinese and not in connection with the coast defences, this restriction should be removed. The amount of air pressure that could be brought to bear on Canton would be greatly increased if some of the aircraft at present provided with floats were refitted with land under-carriages.
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