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SIR JOHN ANDERSON said that the population numbered 400,000, and it was very doubtful whether it could be kept in order without military aid in the event of an attack.

THE PRIME MINISTER said that this was an old subject of discussion, and he enquired what new facts had arisen to necessitate a reconsideration of the position.

fact was the rapidly growing

SIR JOHN FRENCH said that the new efficiency of the Chinese army. Four years ago the Chinese troops at Canton were a rabble. By the latest reports their discipline and efficiency was steadily improving, and in the struggle at Nankin in 1911 the Cantonese troops had been described as the best fighting men in Central and Southern China.

LORD MORLEY enquired whether they were equipped with modern guns.

SIR JOHN FRENCII said that they were believed to be armed with 2·95-inch Krupp mountain guns.

MR. HARCOURT said that the question had been raised by the General Officer Commanding at Hong Kong in his letters of the 6th May, 1911, and the 14th March, 1912.

These were printed in the paper 96 C, and in them Gencral Anderson expressed strong views as to the inadequacy of the garrison for the defence of the land front.

THE PRIME MINISTER said that the last discussion had been raised by the then Admiral (Sir Hedworth Lambton), who had expressed himself even more strongly as to the inadequacy of the fixed defences and garrison to deal with an attack from the sea.

SIR ARTHUR WILSON said that they would be inadequate were it not for the alliance with Japan.

PRINCE LOUIS OF BATTENBERG said that in present circumstances there was no danger of an attack from the sea.

LORD HALDANE enquired whether it was impossible to raise a larger local Volunteer Force.

SIR JOHN FRENCII said that he had enquired into that when he was in Hong Kong, but there appeared to be no chance of increasing the local volunteers.

MR. HARCOURT agreed that there was no prospect of being able to do so. Their total strength in 1912 was only 267, out of a total establishment of 133.

THE PRIME MINISTER said that the first question submitted to them by the Oversea Defence Committee was whether modification was required in the estimate of 4,000 men at present accepted as the greatest possible strength of a raiding attack on Hong Kong by a Power other than China. That was answered by the General Staff in their note (C.I.D. paper, 97-C) in the affirmative, the figures being reduced to 2,000. The danger from China was rather prospective than actual. The Committee had at its 109th Meeting approved the recommendation of the Oversea Defence Committee to the effect that "advantage should be taken of any favourable opportunity that may be offered by the reduction of the infantry at stations abroad, to strengthen the garrison of Hong Kong by the addition of one battalion of British infantry.' the present time the garrison was reinforced by two Native battalions of the Indian Army, and in most circumstances similar reinforements could be sent quickly.

At

MR. HARCOURT pointed out that the General Officer Commanding asked also for the construction of certain fixed defences. He understood that these would take about two years to construct. If, therefore, they were likely to become necessary at some future time it was essential to commence them in anticipation of that date.

THE PRIME MINISTER said that there was no recommendation in the General Staff note that these works should be put in hand. The infantry garrison at present consisted of one British and four Indian battalions.

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