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3. Page 2, Inclosure 2.-The Colonial Defence Committee are not prepared to recommend an extension of the approved distribution of copies of Colonial Schemes of Defence, as they consider that, with proper arrangements, this number should be sufficient to enable all responsible officers to be kept informed of their duties on mobilization, while it is very undesirable that a large number of copies of this very secret document should be in existence.
Chapter I.-Introductory Remarks and Strategic Considerations.
4. Page 5.-The strategic conditions are well and clearly stated.
It may be observed that, since the date of the revision of the Scheme, the American force at Manila has been increased to 21,000 men, and that a further increase is rumoured. This increase will, however, depend on the state of affairs in the Philippines; and the United States is not, and will not for some time be, in a position to act offensively against Hong Kong.
Chapter II.-Organization.
5. Pages 11 to 14.-It would be convenient, and in conformity with the usual practice, if these pages, showing the defensive resources of the Station, were trans- ferred to Chapter I. The organization of these resources is properly shown in Chapter II-which, however, should be edited to accord with the sectional headings: “A. Divisions of Command," &c., as shown on page 9.
6. Page 11.-It is presumed that establishment, not strength, is shown in this Table. If so, this might be stated.
7. Page 15.-Chapter II should open with a section on "Divisions of Command," explaining the division of the area of command into sections, the position of each section head-quarters, and the peace appointment of the Officer Commanding the section. It is stated on p. 51 that the Section Commanders are appointed by name in Garrison Orders, but it is also desirable that these appointments should be made, as far as possible, with reference to the appointments held in peace, and that these peace appointments should be stated in the Defence Scheme in Chapter II (A). The blank column in Table (B), p. 15, headed "Commander," may then be excised, as the Table will become part of Chapter II (B): "Distribution of Troops and Armament."
The strength of Volunteers belonging to the machine-gun sections is shown on p. 12 as 3 officers and 61 other ranks, while on p. 15, 3 officers and 49 other ranks are shown as allotted to machine-guns.
8. Page 19.-It would be convenient if the method of quartering the Royal Artillery were given as in the case of the other arms, and it would be more satisfac- tory if the various companies were distinguished by the barracks occupied in peace, instead of by their titles.
The fixed armament might conveniently be given against the works, as is already done in the case of the movable armament.
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The object of the column headed Officers is not clear. One of the officers named in the last column is not a Fire Commander.
9. Page 24.-The appointment held by the officer second in command of the British Infantry Battalion is apparently that of Section Commander, No. III Section. If so, this appointment should be so described, as it involves administrative as well as tactical command.
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Communications needs 10. Page 26.-The first sentence of the section on elucidation, and the whole section should be expanded under the two headings suggested in paragraph 11 of the Committee's Remarks, No. 172 R, dated the 30th November, 1897.
Chapter III.-Action by Staff and Departments.
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11. Page 33.-The two references to Consular notices should be expunged (see paragraph 20, below).
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