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(v)
PREFACE.
LIST OF MESSAGES FROM SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES NOTIFYING PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
Revised to [date.]
(To be kept corrected in every copy of the Defence Scheme in the Colony in accordance. with the latest despatches on the subject from the Secretary of State, irrespective of the date of annual revision of the whole text of the Defence Scheme.)
[Wording in italics to be adapted to local conditions.]
1. The following list includes only the normal abbreviated messages from the Secretary of State relative to preparations for war. Any supplementary information or special instructions will, if necessary, be added in the same telegram, but will more probably be sent separately to avoid delaying the principal messages.
2. The system of warning and war messages is not intended to fetter the discretion of the Officer Administering the Government in adopting such measures for the security of the Colony as may appear necessary, having regard, on the one hand, to immediate local exigencies, and, on the other hand, to the prejudice likely to be caused to the general interests of the Empire by premature local demonstrations.
The other messages relate to arrangements which are not measures of local defence, and will only be adopted on receipt of definite communications from Hist Majesty's Government.
Wording of Cypher Telegramı from Secretary of State.
(1.)
Meaning of Telegram.
References
to Despatches, &c.
Adopt precautionary stage of
Defence Scheme against [Power(s)].
With reference to
Defence Scheme, war with [Power(s)] has broken out.
[161]
(2.)
WARNING TELEGRAM.
Relations with [Power(s)] have become so strained that in the opinion of His Majesty's Government it is expedient to adopt such precautions against possible surprise attack and such limited preparations in anticipation of war as are laid down for the precautionary stage of Defence Schemes.
Issue instructions accordingly, with the advice of Ministers, after consulting the Officer Commanding His Majesty's Troops.
Acknowledge receipt of this telegram, stating briefly any variations from the normal arrangements for the precautionary stage described in the latest printed Defence Scheme in the possession of His Majesty's Government.
WAR TELEGRAM.
War with [Power(s)] has broken out. Put in force "war" stage of Defence Scheme, with the advice of Ministers, after consulting the Officer Commanding His Majesty's Troops.
Enforce the prearranged strict censorship of tele- grams, subject to any modifications indicated in any previous telegrams on the subject of censorship.
Acknowledge receipt of this telegram, stating briefly any variations from the normal arrangements for the war stage described in the latest printed Defence Scheme in the possession of His Majesty's Government.
|
(3.)
For general explanation of principles to be observed in adoption of measures at pre- cautionary stage, see Colo- nial Defence Committee's Memorandum No. 330 M, en- closed in Mr. Lyttelton's secret circular despatch of the 28th April, 1905.
war
For general explanation of telegram, see C.D.C. Memorandum No. 330 M, enclosed in Mr. Lyttelton's secret circular despatch of the 28th April, 1905.
As regards censorship of telegrams by submarine cable, see Memorandum enclosed in Mr. Lyttelton's secret circular despatch of the 13th August, 1904 (or, in the case of Colonies possessing responsible govern- ment, 19th April, 1904); and for detailed arrangements as to local action and custody of instructions, cypher - books, &C., see Defence Scheme, Chapter III (CCC), "Action by Censor."
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