CAB11-57-14 — Page 11

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HONG KONG.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

Strategic Conditions.

HONG KONG is the naval base and headquarters of His Majesty's ships on the China Station, and the most important British commercial port abroad. Its geographical situation in reference to other ports in the Far East is shown by the following table of shortest navigable distances:-

Sea miles.

Weihaiwei Singapore

1,175

Chemulpo

1,450

Shanghai

Labuan

1,060

Canton

..

Vladivostock

Port Arthur

Nagasaki..

Yokohama

Formosa ..

1,650

Whampoa

1,250

Macao

1,050

Port Courbet

1,560

Hué

350

Hanoi

Pescadores (Makung)

Kiao-chau

317

Saigon

1,130

Manila

Sea miles.

1,190

810

80

70

35

460

500

540

930

630

2. Before considering the strategic conditions which govern the functions and strength of the garrison and fixed defences of Hong Kong, it may be useful to enumerate the military forces and defended ports of foreign powers in the Far East,

3. The peace strength of the garrison of French Indo-China is now 35,000 men, of whom 16,000 are Europeans. In the event of war, at least 12,000 native reservists and 11,000 "gardes indigènes" would be available, besides some 8,000 or 9,000 able- bodied Europeans who have had a military training. The native troops are composed of indifferent personnel, and the military position is still considered somewhat precarious, although the internal conditions of the country are improving. The nearest French fortified base to Hong Kong is Port Courbet, 460 miles distant.

4. The war between Russia and Japan has been so recently concluded that it is not yet possible to forecast the future naval and military position of Russia in the Far East, though their military garrisons will probably be of considerable size.

5. The establishment of German troops in China is, at present, 3,038, including the garrison of Kiao-chau. There are also about 400 reservists, who can be called out when required.

The new harbour works at Kiao-chau are in use, though not completed, and a floating dock with a carrying capacity of 16,000 tons is now available.

6. The strength of the United States' garrison in the Philippines is about 13,200 regular troops. There are, in addition, 5,000 Philippine Scouts, commanded by United States' officers, and 6,300 Philippine Constabulary, officered by Americans and Philippinos. Some progress has been made with the naval dockyard at Kavite, in Manila Bay, but the larger ships of the United States' Asiatic and Philippine

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