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It is conceivable that in actual warfare it might not be possible to sufficiently reinforce them, or to reinforce them in time to avert disaster.

Instances have been brought to my notice by Major-General Hatton, during the recent mobili- zation, in which similar posts, which ought to have been held by fifty or thirty men, had only thirty or twenty men available for them. The Commanders of the posts complained that they could not possibly do what was required of them with the mere handful of men left at their disposal, and they had to be told that they must do the best they could.

This is not a satisfactory condition in which to have this great naval and military base at any time, much less at such a juncture as the present, and I must for the safety of the Colony urgently request that, at any rate, the Indian regiments may be brought and kept up to the full strength shown in the approved garrison for Hong Kong; and that at least a full battalion of British infantry be allocated to this garrison.

The Right Honourable Alfred Lyttelton, K.C., M.P.

I have, &c. (Signed) F. H. MAY,

Officer Administering the Government.

&c.

&c.

&c.

Enclosure.

Letter of General Officer Commanding the Troops in South China.

(Secret No. C 95/04.) Sir,

March 16, 1904.

I HAVE the honour to inform you that one of the results of recent mobilization practices of the sections of defence has been to show that the numbers available in garrison are considerably below that laid down in approved strength.

2. The regiments of the Indian army arrive here on an establishment of 750, which is in itself a smaller number by 50 per unit than that shown in the "Approved Garrison for Hong Kong, 1903," and these reduced numbers are not always kept up.

3. The half battalion of the British infantry regiment, on whom falls most of the work of manning the extensive command telephone communications, and whom, alone of the infantry, can be relied upon for visual signalling duties-the Indian regiments being much handicapped by working in a foreign language-can barely furnish the duties required of it, even when it is kept up to strength, and this is not always the case.

4. These mobilizations to my mind conclusively show that the numbers available are inadequate, and I consider it is therefore my duty to bring this fact to your Excellency's notice.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

V. HATTON, Major-General,

Commanding in South China

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W, HARRISON.—18/5/1904.

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