Evening star., 1941-12-18
Hong Kong Under SIEGE

sNS" S"SS' SsSSS
1mperiled Hong Kong, like cap
tured Guam, Is tragic instance Of
"appeasement." When the status Of
the Pacific was up for general con-
sideration at the Washington Con-
ference Of 1921, America and Britain
tried to make a permanent settle
ment with Japan, Notwithstanding
the aggressive imperialism which the
Empire Of the Rising Sun had shown
for many years. Besides granting
Japan a naval ratio which rendered
its fleet paramount In the Far East
against anything short of an Anglo
American combine, the English
speaking powers agreed not to fortify
further existing bases between Ha-
waii and Singapore. Among other
things, this meant that Britain did
not develop Hong Kong, its strong
hold In China, into a modernized
naval and air base. Only during the
past two years has Britain belatedly
strengthened its Hong Kong de-
fenses. while only a few weeks ago
did contingent Of Canadian troops
bring its garrison up to something
like an adequate footing.
This accounts for the dubious pros
poets OF resisting a prolonged siege.
Hong Kong itself Is an island of
granite peaks and tortuous valleys.
The city, known as Victoria, huddles
along the narrow water front and
climbs the steep mountainside to
"The Peak" nearly 1000 feet above
the harbor which Is formed by the
deep channel separating the island
from Kowloon on the mainland.
Kowloon is populous suburb, form
ing an integral part Of this center OF
trade and commerce. The name
means Mine Dragons" referring to
the range Of mountains which rise
behind the town and from which
long-range japanese artillery is she'll
ing Hong Kong.
With Kowloon already in Japanese
hands, the city Of Victoria Just across
the narrow channel is clearly un-
tenable. Furthermore, the lack Of
proper air fields on the rocky island
makes it impossible to counter Japa-
nese aerial attacks. The situation is
further complicated by the presence
OF an enormous Chinese population,
so swelled by refugees that it prob
ably exceeds 100000 on the island
itself. Besides the question of food
is the matter of water. It is re-
ported that one Of the reservoirs i'm
pounded by dams has been destroyed
by japanese bombs. Lastly, the
Japanese have naval superiority
since the destruction Of Britain's two
capital ships, so there is no likeli-
hood Of immediate aid by sea. A
Chinese army is doing its best to
harass the japanese line of COM
munications along the railroad run
ming from Kowloon to the Japanese
held city of Canton, but it Is un-
likely to be more than an annoying
diversion.
Despite land and aerial lombard
ments, 1t is possible that the devoted
British garrison Of Hong Kong may
prevent the japanese from landing
on the island and actually storming
the place. In that case. the siege
may last for some time. That would
be an indirect assistance to the de-
tense Of Singapore by occupying
large Japanese forces in a de-
tached theater of war. But the out
look is not bright, and it is signifi-
cant that the London press and
semi-of1cial spokesmen seem to be
preparing the British public for
Hong Kong's loss in the near future.
The fall of Hong Kong would not
greatly change the general strategic
picture in Southeastern Asia. The
Japanese already have so many bases
there that they do not vitally need
1t themselves. Its capture would
merely eliminate Britain's outpost in
South China which, If held, could
have harassed Japanese sea COM
munications with Indo-China and
Thailand. So long as the Philip
pines and Singapore hold out, the
way will be blocked for a major
japanese attack on the Dutch Indies,
which are their main objective In
their desperate bid for empire.
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