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CHAPTER III.
C
ACTION BY STAFF AND DEPARTMENTS.
(A.)—General Review of Measures to be taken.
The notification that the Defence Scheme for the Colony is to be put partially or wholly into force will be sent to the Governor in the form communicated in the Right Honourable J. Chamberlain's despatch of the 26th July, 1898.
A copy of this despatch is in possession of the Governor, and one is also kept for ready reference with the local Defence Secretary's copy of the Defence Scheme.
On the order to mobilize the telephone system will at once be completed; the troops will be distributed to their several Sections and to the Reserves. The submarine mines will be laid, and the Harbour Regulations put in force subject to the conditions set forth on p. 63 of the Scheme.
All available measures for obtaining intelligence of an enemy's movements, including such assistance as may be obtained from Governors of Eastern Colonies, from the British Consuls at eastern ports, and from the Royal Navy, will be put in force.
The movable armaments which have fixed positions assigned to them, will, if not previously placed, be at once moved into them with their complement of ammuni- tion. All deficiencies in gun ammunition in the batteries, if any, will at once be made good.
Howitzer batteries, field magazines, blockhouses, earthworks, and communications, as planned will immediately be put in hand, where not previously executed.
Mat-sheds will be built to shelter the garrisons of Sections.
It is estimated that the defensive works will be completed in from three to eight days, and that mat-sheds to replace the tents will be erected in from ten to twenty days.
The mine-fields can be completely laid out in four days.
Information will be sent to the Consuls at neighbouring ports in China, Japan, Singapore, Manila, &c., that the special Regulations for entrance to the harbour are being put in force.
The Hong Kong Volunteer Corps will be called out for actual military service, and efforts made to complete them up to their establishment.
A General Order to this effect in accordance with clause 2, section 189, of the Army Act, is given in Chapter V, Orders to Corps on mobilzation.
(B.)—Action by D.A.A.G. (▲).
This officer will communicate the orders for mobilization, and generally see that all the prearranged steps are properly taken in hand.
He will arrange with the civil authorities for the use of the Colonial telephones, and generally will have charge of all arrangements connected with obtaining and communicating intelligence.
He will communicate with the civil authorities in regard to the issue of Procla- mations and other matters referred to in Chapter VI.
He will co-operate with the Superintendent of Civil Police, and see that the heads of the banking establishments, &c., are carrying out the proposed precautionary measures of self-defence.
He will arrange with the Colonial authorities for the notifications being sent to Consuls of neighbouring ports with reference to the special Harbour Regulations being put in force.
He will see to the necessary action being taken to call out the Volunteers for actual military service, and to increase their numbers, and will engage the number of
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