Evening star., 1937-12-19
HONG KONG THREAT
WORRYING BRITISH
Far East Crown Colony Lies
Too Far From Bulk of
Fleet.
BY JOSEPH DRISCOLL,

BY JOSEPH DRISCOLL,
New York Hsrald-Tribune Correspondent.
LONDON, Dec. 1S.-How to protect
Hong Kong, Britainis Far Eastern
outpost OF empire, from the menace
presented by the Japanese penetration
of China was an anxious problem to
which the cabinet and its Imperial
Defense Committee devoted much
thought this week.
Hong Kong, unfortunately for the
British, lies too close to Japan and
the "Japan-ized" portion Of China and
too far from the bulk Of the British
fleet which could defend it against all
corners. With the development Of
aviation and the technique Of unde-
clared warfare by aggressor nations,
Hong Kong has become as vulnerable
as Malta, which. lies too close to the
military airfields Of Italy and Sicily.
In case Britain goes to war with
Japan, as some naval experts assume,
Hong Kong will be rendered untenable
and the British squadron in the China
Seas would have to retreat to Singa-
pore to escape the superior Japanese
fleet. The alternative to that would
be to reinforce the China squadron
with the Mediterranean and home
fleets, which would be an invitation
to Hitler and Mussolini to resume
their tricks.
The urgency of the menace to Hong
Kong was demonstrated few days
ago when Japanese war planes bombed
within 2 miles OF the British from
tier. Already a large japanese army
is reported massing for an advance on
Canton.
Doubts Marking Ends Drive.
That remarkable old soldier. Gen.
Sir Ian Hamilton recently warned that
the japanese march would not stop
at Marking, but would 60 on to Hong
Kong, Singapore, Burma, Assam and
Bengal. Speaking with the expert
ence OF former inspector general Of
overseas forces, Sir Ian said:
"A land army can lay siege to and
capture Singapore exactly as Port
Arthur was captured. 1t is too near
the main power Of Japan and too far
from OURS
In the House of Commons this
week It. Comdr Reginald Fletcher,
another worried M. P, asked about
the defense at Hong Kong and
whether they were sufficient for the
defense Of the colony. He suggested
capital ships should be rushed out to
reinforce the Chinese squadron, which
lacks battleships and battle cruisers.
Both Prime Minister Neville Chamber
lain and Coordination Minister Sir
Thomas 1nskip lodged his question.
1t is understood, however, that new
defense works are under construction
at Hong Kong. Even so, those worried
about the security Of this colony will
not feel at ease until 1t receives a
concentration of the British Navy or
the British and American Navies
working together.
Will Fight for Hong Kong.
In any event. Hong Kong dike
Malta) will not be surrendered with
out a struggle, for without Hong Kong
the British squadron would lack
base In the North China Sea and
would have to seek shelter 1900 miles
away, at Singapore.
1t is at Singapore rather than
Hong Kong that the British are max
ing their greatest effort to halt any
Japanese threat to India or Australia.
Singapore Is now said to be the strong
est fortified naval base in the world
Its gigantic craving dock just opened,
can accommodate three battleships
simultaneously for major repairs.
There Is also the huge floating dock