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APPENDIX I.

General Officer Commanding in South China to War Office.

(Confidential. No. C. 74/04.)

Sir,

Hong Kong, March 3, 1904. I HAVE the honour to enclose for your information a report from the Principal Medical Officer, South China, on a Conference of Medical Officers that was held by the desire of the Admiral Commander-in-Chief, China Station.

I am unaware of the cause that gave rise to the desirability of considering this contingency, but I should, of course, further to my full power any action that might be necessary.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

V. HATTON, Major-General,

Commanding in South China.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Enclosure 1.

Principal Medical Officer, South China, to Chief Staff Officer, South China.

Hong Kong, February 29, 1904.

IN compliance with your instructions contained in your Memorandum, dated the 13th February, 1904, I have the honour to report that I have conferred with the Principal Medical Officer of the Navy and the Principal Civil Medical Officer as to the arrangement that should be made for the treatment of a large number of sick and wounded men in Hong Kong, and beg to submit the following proposals, viz. :---

It was estimated that provision should be made for 3,000 men from the Fleet, and 1,000 from the Military and Civil population, this is quite outside any existing mobilization scheme. The points considered were—

(a.) The accommodation that would be required;

(b.) The staff that would be necessary; and

(c.) The stores that would be available.

(a.) Accommodation.-As it was considered undesirable to treat such a large number of sick and wounded in a thickly populated district like Victoria, it was decided that the best arrange- ment would be to build matsheds in the cricket ground, recreation ground, and Happy Valley. Ample accommodation would thus be provided for a much larger number than that estimated. The more severely wounded officers and men could be treated in the three hospitals which could accommodate 526 cases. About 260 slightly wounded officers could be placed in the hotels and City Hall.

(b.) The staff required would be as follows: Medical officers, 60; European male attendants, 400; nursing sisters, 100; aud native attendants, cooks, &c., 500. Ábout 30 medical men are at present available in the Colony, and a certain number of local European Volunteers would probably be available to act as attendants and nursing sisters, the rest would have to be obtained elsewhere.

(c.) Stores available.-As far as can be ascertained there is a sufficient quantity of medical and surgical stores in the Colony to last for a month.

I have, &c. (Signed)

W. E. WEBB, Colonel, R.A.M.C.,

P.M.O., South China.

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