(0 0 F Y.)
Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure
From Commander-in-Chief, China,
To the Secretary of the Admiralty.
C. C 238 41144
28th. October, 1904.
Submitted.
A copy of my minute of 5th. July, 1904, mentioned at the commencement of the Commodore's letter is enclosed.
3.
I have no anxiety as to there not being ample accommodation available in war time for almost an unlimited number of sick and wounded in Hongkong, as the Clubs and Hongs are all well fitted for this purpose. Nor have I any doubt that nearly all the requirements for the hospitals, of the nature of furniture, utensils, and generally gear, would be forthcoming locally. The only question of importance is that raised in my letter of 5th. May, 1904, to His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong, namely, how to obtain and store the necessary surgical appliances, medicines and anaesthetics, and to decide what it is absolutely necessary to import into the Colony.
3.
As regards Hospital Ships, two would seem sufficient for the Squadron at its present strength, and the moving of men home could be done by the ordinary steam traffic.
The withdrawal of the "Rinaldo", "Vestal", and "Espiegle" from the strength of the station, and the paying off of the "Tweed" will reduce the number of medical officers available in war time for other services, such as Merchant Cruisers and Hospital Ships, (see paragraph 6 of Commodore Wicken's letter enclosed) from 10 to 6.
(sd.) G. B. Noel,
Vice-Admiral.