6
The names and description of the individuals selected, with proposed rates
pay,
to be approved and inserted in general orders.
of
In order to provide against the contingency of the stoppage of exports from the mainland of China, arrangements will be made with the con- tractor of supplies to increase without delay the month's reserve of cattle provided for by contract, supplemented by such other live stock as will prove useful.
(For quantity, &c., of food, see Appendices VIII to XII.)
X.-Fuel and Light.
On the outbreak of hostilities, the Officer commanding Army Service Corps will obtain, by purchase or contract, the quantities of fuel and light required for six months' consumption, in accordance with Appendix XIII and place them in safe and suitable storehouses.
XI.-Water.
Both the The town of Victoria has an ample supply of water. reservoirs are, however, on the southern side of the hills, and the principal one, that at Tyham, is beyond the line to be taken up for military defence.
A strong detachment of police will be stationed here; the reservoir is Some streams on the northern connected by a telegraph line with the town. side of the hills could be led into the conduit, so that a small supply would be available even if the reservoirs were cut off.
At the out-stations there are sources of supply from wells and streams which will be utilized; these can be supplemented, if necessary, by con- veying water from the town in lighters.
XII.-Intelligence.
Distant intelligence of the movements of the enemy's ships and fleets will be obtained by the Navy. By night immediate intelligence will be obtained by the scouting and torpedo boats (vide Appendix VII). They will communicate their information either to the nearest telegraph station, for transmission to head-quarters, or bring it in direct. The different stations round the island and the lines of telegraph are shown in the Plan. By day, immediate intelligence will be obtained by scouting and torpedo boats in thick weather; and in clear weather from the Victoria Peak signal station, 1,823 feet above the sea. Ships 40 or 50 miles distant can be seen from it in clear weather. A signal station will also be established on Mount Parker to see to the north-east. Signal stations will be established at Rocky Bay and at Telegraph Bay to enable the scout-boats to com- municate more rapidly with the nearest telegraph station.
With a view to giving notice of an impending attack, the "alarm" will be given by three guns fired in rapid succession from the "Victor Emanuel." Each section will signal by telephone to head-quarters that they have heard the signal.
XIII.-Co-operation of the Navy.
The forces at the disposal of the Navy at Hong Kong consist of the "Wivern," the two gun-boats "Esk" and "Tweed," and at least two 'first class and two second class torpedo-boats. There would be in addition such vessels as might be detailed by the Commander-in-chief.
The Navy would co-operate in the defence by using the means at its disposal to obtain early intelligence of the approach of the enemy and by undertaking all scouting. Should he succeed in establishing himself in force in the neighbouring islands or the coast of China, it would endeavour to prevent a landing on the south shore. It would also harass him by night attacks with the torpedo-boats.
There are eight of these boats now at Hong Kong, but they would have to be manned and officered by the fleet, and the number available would depend on the arrangements of the Commander-in-chief, but it is
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anticipated that at least two first class and two second class torpedo-boats would be left at Hong Kong to assist in its defence.
XIV.-Lights, Buoys, and Beacons.
It will not be necessary to remove the existing lights, buoys, and beacons. Additional buoys will be placed to mark out the friendly channel, and also other buoys to mislead any enemy as to its position.
The arrangements for pilots and for conducting ships through the friendly channel will be in charge of the Harbour-master. A flotilla of armed launches will be organized by the Harbour-master to enable the water police to prevent any vessels or junks from passing in or out, except by the friendly channel.
All vessels or junks entering the harbour from the westward will be required to anchor at the eastern end of the Sulphur Channel, and those entering from eastward outside the Lyemun Pass, until a pilot comes on board to take them through the mine-fields. Steam tugs and launches with pilots on board will be provided to tow sailing-vessels and junks through the mine-fields.
XV.-Medical Service.
By Article I of the Geneva Convention, "ambulances and military hospitals are protected and respected by belligerents as long as any sick or wounded may be therein."
It is assumed that the same protection would be extended to the Civil Hospital, and although military hospitals alone are mentioned. Such being the case, the forming of temporary hospitals to secure the sick and wounded from exposure to fire would appear unnecessary.
If additional hospital accommodation is required it will be provided by the appropriation of the City Hall as a General Hospital. This building is preferable to any barrack, as it would not interfere with the housing of troops or levies, and is well situated for the reception of the wounded from the forts by launch.
The hospital ship "Meeanee" to continue to receive ordinary cases of sickness as at present, wounded men being treated in the City Hall. The China gun Lascars to be treated in their present hospital. Accommodation for coolies will be provided at the Civil Hospital, where 100 beds in the hospital, and 150 in mat-sheds, will be available for military purposes.
A dressing station to be established in the Sanitarium.
For the distribution of the Medical Staff and Medical Staff Corps, see Appendices XIV and XV.
All the wounded to be transferred to the General Hospital, and ordinary sick to the "Meeanee." Two ambulance launches flying the "Red Cross flag" to be placed at the disposal of the Principal Medical Officer for this purpose.
Under these arrangements, beyond affording accommodation for the sick of the Coolie Corps, aid from the Civil Hospital would not be necessary.
The Civil Surgeons will be on duty in General and Station Hospitals, and in charge of sundry other duties involving no exposure to fire.
Bomb-proof cover exists in all the forts for dressing stations.
No bearer companies will be necessary from the civil population, The coolies who would be engaged as bearers being sufficient. Four trustworthy men acquainted with the Chinese language to be in charge of the coolie bearers employed in the Southern Division, and for carrying sick thence to General Hospital.
Burial of the dead will be carried on as at present.
XVI.-Auxiliary Forces.
The Hong Kong Artillery Volunteers, in the event of war, would muster at least 200 strong, and in case of attack they would man the guns at Kowloon Dock and Kowloon West and Stonecutter Wet Batteries.
The force is armed with Martini-Henry carbines, and it has also
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