should be thought out beforehand and arranged, must be subject to hourly alterations, and can only be dealt with by those on the spot. It is my duty to see that such detail as is necessary shall be indicated to those concerned and the proper orders given. I have therefore instructed the Secretary to remove them from this report.
4. I ask that in future the large mass of detailed orders and instructions in connection with the defence may be exempt from the close criticism to which they have been submitted. So much time is occupied in that manner that now the Local Committee of Defence is occupied in discussing and recasting the scheme of 1901 - not having yet received back the report of 1902.
5. There is still much historical and descriptive matter in the report, though I consider the time for its use has passed. I am aware that a raid of 4000 men forms the basis of the defence scheme, and consider it quite sound to consider the action of an enemy or combination of enemies, yet the fact remains that were Hong Kong attacked by the forces (small or great) of one or more powers the conduct of defence would be the same always. Whether the attack is made by ships with a landing force of 5000 Americans, 10000 Russians or 40000 Japanese the working details of defence remain the same.
6. The basis of the detailed defence scheme is the provision of coolies, without which water cannot be carried, sick tended, ammunition transported nor His Majesty's ships coaled. The late Governor, Sir H. Blake, declines to be responsible for the provision of coolies. In these circumstances it is a waste of time elaborating a transport scheme.
7. In connection with a refuge for the women and