CONFIDENTIAL.
Closure
Hongkong.
Sir,
C.O.
1524
Ward 16 JA.. 05
Government House,
Hongkong, 10th December, 1904.
456
In September last, when forwarding a revision of the Defence Scheme for this Colony, I reported to you that I was taking steps to increase the extent to which its British Civil Population could be made available to assist His Majesty's Forces in time of war. I have now the honour to inform you of the nature of those steps and of the results obtained from them up to date.
2.
I annex a copy of a letter on the subject which I addressed on the 9th August to the General Officer Commanding in South China and of Major-General Villiers Hatton's reply of the 11th of that month on receipt of which action was taken
(1) To increase the strength of the Artillery and Engineer Volunteers.
(2) To add to the Volunteers a mounted Section.
(3) To establish a Volunteer Reserve Association.
(4) To register subordinate officers in the Civil Service to serve as Military Telephonists in war.
3.
The proposal to organise the Artillery and Engineer Volunteers into detachments, half-sections and
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, M.P..
800...
&C..
800-
sections