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torpedo craft can be taken long distances under convoy, and of the recklessness with. which a weaker belligerent will destroy even neutral shipping, seemed to render desirable the reconsideration of the position of Hong Kong.
He further pointed out that, owing to the removal of the submarine mine defences, the position of shipping lying in the harbour was much less secure than formerly. The western entrance to the harbour was wide, and the distance between Stonecutter's Island and Belcher's Point-about 4,000 yards-could not be adequately defended by guns and electric lights. A large accumulation of shipping was always to be found in the harbour, and there was considerable danger of attack by night. He was aware that the submarine mine defences had been withdrawn in accordance with the policy laid down by His Majesty's Government; he was, therefore, debarred from suggesting that they should be replaced, but he considered that the gun defences of this portion of the harbour should be supplemented by some other form of defence, and suggested that the construction of a breakwater on Kellet's Bank, so as to close a portion of the entrance to the harbour, would offer the most satisfactory solution of the difficulty. The construction of such a breakwater would, however, be a matter of very considerable expense-certainly not less than 100,000.-and though some advantages might be derived by merchant shipping, especially junks and small craft, from the existence of such a breakwater, these were not sufficient to justify the Colony con- tributing substantially towards the cost; and no contribution at all could be expected at the present time from the Colony which had various costly public works under construction.
Infantry Garrison.
5. The Colonial Defence Committee share the view of Sir Matthew Nathan and of the General Officer Commanding the Troops, South China, as to the inadequacy of the present infantry garrison of Hong Kong.
In their Memorandum No. 343 M, dated the 16th May, 1905, on the strength of the garrison, they stated that after careful consideration of the infantry guards, picquets, &c., required to deny the vulnerable objectives at the naval base to a small hostile raiding force, they were satisfied that an infantry garrison consisting of one British battalion and two native Indian battalions would be sufficient, though barely sufficient for the purpose. This Memorandum was approved by the Committee of Imperial Defence and by the Army Council, and arrangements were made for the return to Hong Kong of the half battalion temporarily on detachment in North China.
It was anticipated that this arrangement would be completed not later than January 1907, but owing to administrative difficulties, it has not yet been found possible to restore the half battalion to Hong Kong. The Committee are, however, informed that the arrangements have now been made which will result in the increase of the infantry garrison of Hong Kong by half a British battalion, which should arrive in the Colony in January 1908.
Torpedo Attack.
6. The Admiralty have recently had occasion to review the conditions under which. a defended port should be regarded as liable to attack by torpedo craft. They adhere to the view previously expressed, that the primary objective of an enemy's torpedo craft will be our warships, and that the danger of attacks by these craft on commercial harbours is exceedingly remote. The destruction of merchant-vessels would hardly be considered a sufficient inducement for the employment of torpedo craft, whose proper rôle is the attack of warships. Moreover, to attack merchant-vessels lying in harbour, without at least warning and examination, would not be a likely operation of modern warfare, for the difficulty of distinguishing neutral ships, the sinking of which might lead to diplomatic complications, would be a serious consideration.
They are, however, of opinion that the rigid rule which has hitherto been accepted, that naval ports more than 300 miles distant from the nearest foreign torpedo. craft base may be regarded as immune from torpedo craft attack, cannot in existing circumstances properly be applied to all defended ports alike, and they consider that the case of each port should be judged on its merits.
As regards the case of Hong Kong, in view of the existence of numerous con- veniently-situated harbours on the Chinese coast, which, in spite of neutrality obligations, an enemy would probably not hesitate to use as temporary torpedo flotilla bases, the Admiralty are of opinion that there are no insuperable difficulties to prevent an enterprising enemy from placing torpedo craft within striking distance of Hong Kong.
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