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CHAPTER VI (i).
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CHAPTER VI.
CIVIL ADMINISTRATION AND HARBOUR TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
(i.) Action by Civil Departments.
(1.)-Action by the Colonial Secretary.
1. The Colonial Secretary will be responsible for the issue of the four following Proclamations, Nos. I and II being the precautionary stage, and Nos. III and IV the war stage, which will be acted upon on receipt of the secret code messages :--
I. By his Excellency
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Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of
Hong Kong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same.
Whereas, owing to the imminence of active service, or of the existence of active service, I declare it to be necessary for the public service that the forces in this Colony be placed under active service conditions, in accordance with Section 189 (2) of the Army Act.
II. By his Excellency, &c.,
Whereas, by Section 13 of Ordinance No. 6 of 1893, entitled the Volunteer Ordinance, 1893, it is enacted that His Excellency the Governor may, in case of great national emergency, or in case of actual or apprehended invasion of or attack on the Colony, by Proclamation call out any Volunteer corps for actual military service, and whereas it is also enacted by the aforesaid section that the period of such service shall continue so long as the Governor in. Council shall consider necessary and shall end only by order of the Governor.
Now, therefore, I,
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Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hong Kong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, acting with the advice of the Executive Council to the effect that such calling out is necessary and should be continued for the present, and being myself of opinion that a case of great national emergency has arisen do, by this Proclamation, call out the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps for actual military service until my further order.
III. By his Excellency
By command, &c.
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hong Kong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same.
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Whereas war having been proclaimed between His Most Gracious Majesty the King and it is possible, in the absence of our fleet, that an attempt may be made by the enemy's squadron to surprise this port, and to requisition money and supplies; in such case bombardment will be accepted in preference to compliance, and the residents in the Colony are hereby informed that the effects of a bombardment are always much less than is commonly expected.
The British naval forces may be relied on to intercept any attack of a more serious nature than it is within the power of the available resources of the Colony to defeat.
All necessary hospital and medical arrangements have been made.
The necessary arrangements have been made for obtaining early information of a projected attack. The arrival of a hostile squadron will be made known by the firing of three guns from the "Tamar."
The red British ensign will be hoisted at the masthead of the flag-staff at the Peak and the "Tamar" so long as the enemy is in sight.
On the retirement of the enemy the Colonial flag will be hoisted instead.
Civilians appointed to any military duties will be distinguished by a badge worn on the left arm.
(a.) Hospital and Ambulances: Red Cross.
(b.) Sanitary Yellow Cross.
(c) Commissariat: Blue Cross.
(d.) Messengers: Green Cross.
Further Proclamations will be issued as necessary from time to time.
Given at Government House this
[1306]
By command,
(Signed)
GOD SAVE THE KING!
day of
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Colonial Secretary.
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