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
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should be thought out beforehand and arranged, must be
subject to hourly alterations, and can only be dealt 181
with by those on the spot. It is my duty to see that
such detail as is necessary shall he 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 1902X
5.
There is still much historical and descrip-
tive matter in the report, though I consider the time
for its use has passed. I an 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
enery 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 lending 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, armunition 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 reftige for the women
and
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