CAB11-57-8 — Page 4

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Covering Despatch of Acting Governor.

Sir,

Government House, Hong Kong, May 10, 1900.

I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of the Defence Scheme, Hong Kong, revised to date, together with copy of covering letter and enclosures,

The Right Honourable

&c.

I have, &c.

(Signed) W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General,

Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.

&c.

&c.

Administering the Government.

Enclosure.

Sir,

Covering Letter of the General Officer Commanding.

Hong Kong, May 10, 1900. I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, for transmission to the Secretary of State, the Defence Scheme, Hong Kong, revised to date.

During the past drill season the garrison has been fully exercised in the defence and attack of the several Sections.

2. The acquisition of the new territory is a point of great tactical importance, enabling Devil's Peak to be fortified, and giving us complete control over the eastern entrance to the harbour.

3. During the approaching summer officers of the garrison will be employed in making a topographical survey of the new territory.

4. The lines of communication have been thoroughly revised and added to, and are now in a satisfactory condition.

5. I would point out the desirability of four of the latest pattern quick-firers, such as Maxim-Nordenfeldts, firing a 1 lb. shell, being supplied to this command for the defence of the mine-fields. At present we have launches acting as guard-boats to the mine-fields, manned by infantry, but I consider that we can ill-afford-with our small garrison to reduce our mobile forces for this purpose. Three trained artillerymen to each launch would be sufficient with the quick-firers, and would provide a far more effective defence for our mine-fields.

I

6. My attention has been directed to the electric lights in this harbour by a recent torpedo-boat raid by our navy during the mobilization of the artillery garrison. inclose the Reports furnished on this occasion by the naval authorities and the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, and beg most strongly to indorse their remarks.

The western entrance must always be a source of danger owing to the width of the channel, and the illumination of this area deserves our gravest attention. Both the naval and military Reports make clear the fact that one search-light on Stone- cutters Island is not enough. This has repeatedly been brought to my notice by our night operations during the past year, and I should be glad if an additional light could be given.

7. I consider that the defences of the Lyemun Pass are at present in a very unsatisfactory condition, but am satisfied that when the proposed alterations are carried out we shall have nothing further to fear on that side. I therefore urge most strongly that the guns allotted to this Section be forwarded with the utmost dispatch, so that in case of emergency temporary redoubts for their reception could be made both at Devil's Peak and at Sywan Hill. I do not anticipate any difficulty in mounting these guns once we are in possession of them.

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