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CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III (A) and (B).

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ACTION BY STAFF AND DEPARTMENTS.

(A.)-General Review of Measures to be taken.

1. The notification that the Defence Scheme for the Colony is to be put partially or wholly into force will be sent to the Governor in the form communicated in Mr. Chamberlain's despatch of the 26th July, 1898. A copy of this despatch is in possession of the Governor, and one is also kept for ready reference with the local Defence Secretary's copy of the Defence Scheme.

2. On the Order to mobilize the telephone system will at once be completed. Action will be at once taken by Staff and Departmental Officers, as laid down in Sections B, BB, BBB, C, D, E, F, G, and H of this chapter. The troops will be distributed to their several Sections and to the Reserves. The submarine mines will be laid, and the Harbour Regulations put in force subject to the conditions set forth in Chapter VI (V) of the Scheme.

3. All available measures for obtaining intelligence of an enemy's movements. including such assistance as may be obtained from Governors of Eastern Colonies, from the British Consuls at eastern ports, and from the Royal Navy will be put in force.

4. The movable armaments which have fixed positions assigned to them, will, if not previously placed, be at once moved into them with their complement of ammuni- tion. All deficiencies in gun ammunition in the batteries, if any, will at once be made good.

5. Howitzer batteries, field magazines, blockhouses, earthworks, and communi- cations, as planned will immediately be put in hand, where not previously executed.

Mat-sheds will be built to shelter the garrisons of Sections.

It is estimated that the defensive works will be completed in from three fo eight days, and that mat-sheds to replace the tents will be erected in from ten to twenty days.

6. The mine-fields can be completely laid out in four days.

7. Information will be sent to the neighbouring ports in China, Japan, Singapore, Manila, &c., that the special Regulations for entrance to the barbour are being put in force.

8. The Hong Kong Volunteer Corps will be called out for actual military service, and efforts made to complete them up to their establishment. A General Order to this effect in accordance with clause 2, section 189, of the Army Act, is given in Chapter V (VI), Orders to Corps on mobilization.

(B.)—Action by D.A.A.G. (a).

1. This officer will communicate the orders for mobilization, and generally see that all the prearranged steps are properly taken in hand.

2. He will arrange with the civil authorities for the use of the Colonial telephones, and generally will have charge of all arrangements connected with obtaining and communicating intelligence, assisted by the Intelligence Officer.

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