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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, NOVEMBER 8, 1919.
I believe that my people in every part of the Empire fervently wish to per- petuate the memory of that great deliverance and of those who laid down their lives to achieve it.
To afford an opportunity for the universal expression of this feeling it is my desire and hope that at the hour when the Armistice came into force, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, there may be for the brief space of two minutes a complete suspension of all our normal activities. During that time except in the rare cases where it may be impracticable, all work, all sound and all locomotion should cease so that in perfect still- ness the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remem- brance of the glorious dead. No elaborate organisation appears to be necessary. At a given signal which can be easily arranged to suit the circumstances of each locality I believe that we shall all gladly inter- rupt our business and pleasure whatever it may be and unite in this simple service of silence and remembrance.
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GEORGE R.I.”
This will be published in the Press here to-morrow morning and arrangements are being made for the observance of the two minutes silence at 11 o'clock next Tuesday.
Trains will be stopped on the railways, traffic on the streets, ships at sea as far as possible and every effort will be made to get work suspended everywhere at schools, shops, mines and factories and to ensure complete silence.
His Majesty hopes that you will arrange as far as possible for a similar observance. It is of course impracticable owing to distance that the ceremony should synchronise throughout the Empire.
It is therefore suggested that 11 a.m. local time should be adopted everywhere.
A similar message is being sent to India and to every Dominion and Colony in the Empire.
MILNER.
The signal in this Colony will be given by a gun fired on Murray Parade Ground at eleven o'clock.
His Excellency the Governer trusts that the community will comply with His Majesty's wishes..
Sth November, 1919.
CLAUD SEVERN,
Colonial Secretary.
Printed and Published by NORONHA & Co., Printers to the Hongkong Government.