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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 West Batteries.
The force is armed with Martini-Henry carbines, and it has also
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