CAB11-57-5 — Page 5

Page 5

Page

Covering Letters.

No. 1.

Government House, Hong Kong,

My Lord Marquess,

August 25, 1894. IN accordance with the request in your Lordship's Confidential despatch of the 24th May, 1893, I have the honour to forward herewith the Scheme for the defence of this fortress prepared by the Local Defence Committee, together with a covering letter from Major-General G. D. Barker, C.B., com- manding the troops in Hong Kong and China.

I have, &c. (Signed)

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

The Right Honourable the Marquess of Ripon, K.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

No. 2.

Sir,

The General Officer Commanding in China and Hong Kong to his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, August 24, 1894. IN accordance with the instructions by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in letter of the 24th May, 1893, forwarded to me in your Excellency's Minute of the 17th July, 1893, and having reference to my Minute of the 27th idem, I have now the honour to forward the revised and amplified Scheme of Defence of this fortress proposed by the Local Defence Committee.

2. In revising the Scheme the Committee have been guided by the following considerations :—-

(1.) The establishment of the garrison has been increased by the addition of an Indian regiment, consisting of 1,012 of all ranks, and by raising the Asiatic artillery from a force of 1 British officer and 178 native non-commis- sioned officers and men to that of 4 British officers, 9 native officers, and 440 native non-commissioned officers and men, thus rendering possible an entirely new disposition of the forces which had long been considered desirable.

(2.) The forts and batteries have been all completed and armed, thus further necessitating a disposition of troops different from that previously recommended.

(3.) New conditions have been laid down by the Home authorities with reference to the regulation of traffic in and into the harbour in time of war, and to the protection of mine-fields.

(4.) The formerly approved system of redoubts on the hill-tops has been proposed by the War Office to be abrogated in favour of a system of block- houses a change which facilitates the proposed alteration of plan of land defence.

3. The former Scheme of Defence has been found to be defective in the following particulars:-

(1.) The contracted nature of the land defence (necessitated by the smallness of the garrison), which avowedly embraced no provision for opposing a landing on any part of the western or southern shore, and contemplated only a defence of the high ridge and passes against an enemy who had already landed without opposition.

[658]

Page 5

B

4

Page 5

Page 5Page 6