CAB11-57-1 — Page 46

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(ii.) If an attack on Hong Kong Island were made at the same time as an advance from Chinese soil, the defence would be in the second position described above, for it would be utterly in vain to push a small force of three or four companies into the network of hills where it could be easily turned.

In either of these cases the guns from Kowloon West and East, although not bearing on the ground between the hills, command the coast line on the west and the level ground on the cast between the foot of the hills and the sea; both cross fire on the ground from Kowloon Point to the hills bounding the rifle range on the north, the ground commanded from the second position.

The guns at Stonecutters, although somewhat distant, command the whole coast from the boundary line southward, and would be effective against formed bodies of troops and would prevent the construction of batteries on the west and north-west slopes of the hills.

9. I am of opinion that the 9.2-inch gun in Kowloon east should be defiladed from hill No. 10, for if that hill were abandoned by us, and it is a very forward position for the second of the cases mentioned above, rifle fire from there would be very galling to the gun detachment. This has been opposed on the ground that it would deprive the gun of the power of firing on these hills, a deprivation, to my mind, utterly unimportant, for no large body of men would get on to the top of the hills, for they lead to nowhere, and to fire a 9.2-inch gun at skirmishers would be like cracking walnuts with a steam-hammer. The cost of defilading is 371. I have written to the Inspector-General of Fortifications on this subject.

10. The 25-inch R.M.L. guns of the battery that I ask for in my letter annexed (marked B) would be very useful in the East battery for action against troops.

11. Reserves. At Victoria, A, B, and C Companies Rifle Brigade, 4 officers and 46 N.C.O.s and men Royal Artillery, 3 officers and 88 N.C.O.s and men (including S. M. Miners) Royal Engineers.

Seven 9-pr. R.M.L. guns.

Four 7-pr. R.M L. guns.

Four Maxims belonging to Colonial Government.

At Kowloon, G and II Companies, Hong Kong Regiment.

North Point Battery is in the inner line of the defences, it acts on the general orders given to it, and is in telegraphic communication with head- quarters.

12. As it is unlikely that the Colony will be attacked simultaneously from the Chinese continent, by ships at the east and west entrances and by landing parties on the island, the garrisons of places not attacked may be regarded as available supports.

13. Signalling, Telephoning, &c.-As regards taking ninety-one men from the ranks as signallers, so many flag stations are required here that chances of error or delay are multiplied, and on many days the fog simply prevents the use of flag signalling.

I consider it far wiser to make use of the excellent telephone system of the Colony, which enables one to transmit intelligence from Shankiwan, Cape D'Aguilars, Stanley, Tytam Tuk Reservoir, Deep Water Bay (telegraph), Aberdeen, and Pokfulum to the Head-quarters of the Police, and I have secured the permission of His Excellency the Governor to connect this at once with Head-quarters before the moment of need, and I have recently applied by letter for 301, to meet the expense. Flag-signalling will therefore generally be confined to short distances within sections.

The existing telephone system will be extended on going into a state of preparation to points in each section as far as the plant now available will allow. I have applied for plant to enable a more complete system to be carried out.

14. I consider that twenty scouts, quick of foot and long of breath, are necessary in this hilly country to scout, and to connect our patrols and the police look-outs with the officers commanding sections, and the first thing I shall do if called upon to defend the Colony will be to engage some of the sturdy hill coolies for this purpose.

15. I have already noted the small number of volunteers, and had,

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