CAB11-57-1 — Page 272

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4

Defence Scheme.

Chapter I.-Introductory Remarks and Strategic Considerations.

18. Page 1, paragraph 1.--In the table of other ports in the Far East certain of the distances given require correction as follows:--

Weihaiwei.. Singapore

Labuan

Vladivostock

Nagasaki..

Kiao-chau..

Chemulpho

Canton

Whampoa .

Macao Saigon

Nautical miles.

I

C

1,175

1,450

1,060

1,650

1,050

tl

1,130

1,190

80

70

35

+3

ft

hi

930

S he

19. Page 1, paragraph 3.-The information given in this paragraph requires some amendment, and it should now read as follows :-

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 Europeans who have had a military training.

20. Page 1, paragraph 4.-This paragraph requires amendment; it is suggested that it should read: "The war between Russia and Japan has been so recently concluded that it is not as yet possible to forecast the future naval and military position of Russia in the Far East, though their military garrisons will probably be of con- siderable size."

21. Page 1, paragraph 5.—This paragraph should be amended as follows:

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

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

22. Page 1, paragraph 6.-A large floating dock has been constructed for Kavite. When it is available for use it will make the United States' Navy less dependent than it has been hitherto on foreign dockyards.

23. Page 2, paragraph 9.-In connection with the forms of attack to which Hong Kong may be liable the possibility of the dockyard being bombarded by long range fire from the southward, directed over the gaps in the hills, has been considered by the War Office and Admiralty, and the decision was conveyed to the General Officer Commanding the Troops in War Office letter No. Hong Kong 5/945, M.O. 1, dated the 28th October, 1904. While it is recognized that this form of attack is possible, it is not considered that its probability is such as to justify expenditure in works and guns with the special object of meeting it. In order to have a record of this decision in the Defence Scheme it is suggested that a new sub-paragraph should be added to the following effect :-

Such a squadron might possibly attempt to inflict damage by a bombardment of the dockyard at long range over the gaps in the hills, but the probability of such action on their part is considered to be so remote that it need not be taken into account as one of the forms of raiding attacks against which the fixed defences of Hong Kong are provided.

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