CAB11-57-1 — Page 208

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Various modifications in regard to this and other matters are now required in paragraphs 1 to 9 of the Defence Scheme, and the substitution of the following amended wording is recommended:--

1. 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:-

Wei-hai Wei Singapore

Labuan

Vladivostock

Port Arthur

Nagasaki

Yokohama

Formosa

Pescadores (Makung)

Kiao-Chau

a

Sea Miles.

Sea Miles.

I

F

1,170

Chemulpo

1,170

1,440

Shanghai

810

1,080

Canton

74

1,560

Whampoa

64

1,250

Масао

40

1,070

Port Courbet

460

1,560

Huć

500

350

Hanoi

540

317 1,080

Saigon

910

Manila

630

tl

di

30

cl

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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 French garrison of Indo-China, which is widely scattered over an extensive area, consists of about 14,000 Europeans and 19,000 natives. The native troops are composed of indifferent personnel, and are universally considered very inefficient. The military position is still somewhat precarious, disturbances of a more or less serious nature constantly arising, and it is doubtful whether, under any circumstances, France could put in the field for offensive purposes more than 3,000 to 5,000 troops with four mountain batteries.

The nearest fortified French base to Hong Kong is Port Courbet, 460 sea miles distant. 4. Russia has in the Far East (i.e. east of Lake Baikal) a peace strength of about 80,000 men, which is brought up in war to 115,000 men. Of the 80,000 about one-half are at present stationed in Manchuria and the Liaotung Peninsula, the normal garrison of Port Arthur being about 14,000 men.

The Russian base, Vladivostock, is 1,560 sea miles from Hong Kong; but the acquisition by Russia of Port Arthur, a fortified ice-free port, has brought her within 1,250 miles of Hong Kong.

5. Japan could probably send 240,000 men oversea in the event of a general mobilization of her forces, provided that she had sea command, and that sufficient transport were available.

Nagasaki is 1,070 sea miles from Hong Kong, whilst the new advanced base, Formosa, is but 350 miles, and Makung, in the Pescadores, where a naval port is being formed, only 317 miles.

6. Germany has about 4,200 troops in China, including the garrison of Kiao-Chau.

may

The new harbour works at Kiao-Chau are progressing, but at present the German squadron be said to refit at Hong Kong.

7. The strength of the United States' garrison in the Philippines is about 21,500 regular troops. In addition to the regulars there are 5,000 Philippine Scouts, native troops commanded by United States' officers, and 5,000 native constabulary, officered by United States' officers and Filipinos.

Cavite in Manila Bay, 630 sea miles from Hong Kong, is the naval station at present, but the naval headquarters will probably be established before long at Olongapo, Subig Bay (north of Manila Bay).

8. The Chinese have of late shown themselves to be of little account as a fighting Power, and at present their ability to act on the offensive may be taken as small. It will, however, always be prudent to keep in view the possibility of an attack from Chinese territory, which may become formidable in the future if undertaken by a Chinese regular army stiffened by a nucleus of foreign troops. In the present Defence Scheme, however, it is considered sufficient to consider the somewhat less remote possibility of a Chinese incursion from the direction of Canton,

The naval forces and defended ports of China may for the present be neglected.

9. It will be seen from the above considerations that large expeditionary forces might be directed against Hong Kong by Russia and France, or Japan, if in possession of sea command in neighbouring waters. An attack of this nature, &c.

4. Page 2, paragraph 10. Cable Communications.-An alternative all British cable route is now open, running by one of the trans-Atlantic cables to Halifax or Canso, Nova Scotia; thence by Canadian land lines and cable to Grappler Creek in Vancouver Island; thence by the Pacific Cable touching at Fanning Island, Fiji, and Norfolk Island to Southport, Queensland; thence by Australian land lines to Fremantle, Western Australia; thence by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company's cable to Mauritius; and via the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Aden, &c.

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