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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. August 28, 1890.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[No 42R]

Amended Scheme of Defence.

HONG KONG.

HONG KONG.

543. Secret.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee (No. 2.)

THE Colonial Defence Committee have reconsidered the scheme of defence of Hong Kong, with the amendments and additions forwarded by the Acting Governor on the 20th May, 1890. The valuable Reports and sketches of the roads and landing-places have not been printed, as it is assumed that copies have been retained at the station.

The scheme, as now existing, appears to be satisfactory, except in regard to the following points, viz. :-

1. A detailed scheme should be prepared, showing the manner in which it is proposed to meet a land attack on the town by each of the several roads of approach. The inadequacy of the present garrison appears to render it essential that such questions should be studied in detail, in order that the utmost defensive power might be obtained from the small force available.

2. For the same reason, it is desirable that the general question of reinforcing one section of the defence from another should be treated with greater fulness, and that the methods of communication between sections should be carefully studied.

3. The General Officer Commanding points out that some of the contem- plated defences would take a considerable time to construct, and that in some cases "their construction should not be delayed till the outbreak of hostilities." The scheme of defence should lay down approximately the time required for each of the proposed works, and should specify those the construction of which it is considered should not be deferred.

4. It does not appear clear whether the available stock of tools is sufficient. The scheme should state what number is required to make good deficiencies, and what portion of this number could be obtained locally.

5. The transport scheme should be more fully developed, more especially with regard to the defence of the land front.

6. As the defence of Hong Kong necessarily involves a considerable dispersion of troops, much would depend on the knowledge and capacity of individual officers commanding detachments. It is therefore desirable that the officers who would command the several sections should be told off by name in the general scheme of defence, in order that they may make them- selves thoroughly acquainted with the local conditions of their commands.

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The Colonial Defence Committee recommend that a copy of these remarks should be forwarded to the Governor, who should be asked to cause the scheme of defence for this station to be reconsidered and amplified accordingly.

(Signed)

August 28, 1890.

G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

FRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON,- -28/8/90.

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