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22. If it is considered desirable that the title of Chapter V should correspond to its contents, it should be altered to "Corps Orders for Mobilization.”

23. The "Action by Civil Departments" has been rewritten, as promised in paragraph 12 of my secret despatch of the 5th September, 1904, forwarding the Scheme revised to that date. Heads of Departments have been consulted with regard to the action proposed for them and are cognizant of what is expected from them. A copy of this part of the Scheme is in the hands of the Colonial Secretary, who will issue the different sections in the "precautionary" stage and see that action is taken on the instructions without avoidable delay as soon as the "war" stage is reached. I have thought it advisable to embody in the Scheme the arrangements referred to in the 9th Remark of the Committee, by which the Civil Government will assist the Naval authorities in providing for their sick and wounded.

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I have decided to proclaim the Secret Order in Council ipso facto on outbreak of war. will not prevent adherence to the ordinary law and methods of contract and purchase for so long as these prove adequate, while it would probably lengthen this time if the powers held in reserve by the Governor are known.

In other respects, the suggestions contained in paragraphs 37 to 41 of the Colonial Defence Committee's Remarks No. 373 R, have been adopted.

24. The harbour traffic regulations have been revised in accordance with paragraph 42 of those Remarks. The additional paragraph, with regard to the entry of torpedo craft into the port, would appear to require the concurrence of the Admiralty as well as the issue by them of an instruction as to the code in which the initial letter of the fortress countersign of the day is to be shown by these craft when crossing the examination line.

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25. In the final paragraph of his letter the General Officer Commanding takes exception to information with regard to the situation preceding hostilities being communicated to him by His Majesty's Government through the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony. Major-General Hatton stated to me that he had no doubt that I, personally, would keep him informed of any facts that might be communicated to me or come to my knowledge which affected or might affect the defence of the Colony, but that another Governor might consider that all that was necessary would be for him to acquaint the General Officer Commanding of the receipt of messages directing the adoption of the "precautionary

stage. I cannot believe that any gentleman entrusted by His Majesty with the Government of this Colony would be so wanting in judgment as to withhold from the confidential knowledge of the commander of the troops information which might affect the military situation. On the contrary, I am sure that as soon as he was informed or had reason to believe that the relations with a naval power, or with China, were becoming strained he would at once talk the matter over with the General with a view to such measures being taken in anticipation of the "precautionary" stage of the defence as could be carried out without unduly attracting public attention, and also with a view to being ready to repel aggression which it is possible to conceive might precede the receipt from His Majesty's Government of instructions to put the Defence Scheme into force. I do not therefore consider that it is necessary that the General Officer Commanding should be empowered to order mobilization without reference to the Governor as is in effect suggested by Major-General Hatton.

26. I desire to draw attention to the great care with which the military parts of the Scheme (Chapters I to V) have again this year been brought up to date and revised in accordance with the Remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee by the General Officer Commanding the Troops in South China.

The Right Honourable Alfred Lyttelton, K.C., M.P., Secretary of State for the Colonies.

I have, &c. (Signed)

M. NATHAN.

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Letter of General Officer Commanding the Troops in South China.

(Secret. No. 231/05.) Sir,

Headquarters, Hong Kong, July 7, 1905. I HAVE the honour to forward to your Excellency the Defence Scheme of the Colony revised up to date on the lines laid down in the secret Memorandum No. 330 M, of the Colonial Defence Committee, and in accordance with the Remarks (No. 373 R) of that Committee on the revision up to September 1904.

2. Before discussing the new principles of the division of the Defence Scheme into precautionary" and "war" stages in their application to this Colony, I submit a few remarks explanatory of the amendments which are now embodied in the Scheme.

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3. Chapter 1.-The first point to which I would draw your Excellency's attention is Table A (i) Garrison. The establishments for the Indian battalions are shown as ruled in letter of the Quarter- Master-General in India No. 940 A, dated the 24th March, 1905,* and not as provided for in the

* Extract from letter of the Q.M.G. in India, dated 24/3/1905. No. 940 A.-2. Strength at which to proceed. The relieving regiments will proceed at a strength not exceeding 12 British officers (excluding the medical officer), 800 native ranks, including 16 native officers, and the Field Service scale of public and private followers, except that

sweepers and 1 hospital sweeper, instead of 8 and 2, will be taken. No transport to be taken."

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