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No. 123.
The Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received May 22.)
(Confidential.) Sir,
Government House, Ottawa, May 7, 1878.
ON the 4th instant* I had the honour of sending you a telegraphic message in cypher, a copy of which I inclose, drawing attention, in view of the serious aspect of European affairs, to the defenceless state of the sea-board of the Dominion.
I now beg to forward herewith a copy of a Report of a Committee of the Privy Council, on which my telegram was founded,
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I have, &c. (Signed)
DUFFERIN.
Inclosure in No. 123.
Report of a Committee of the Honourable the Privy Council, approved by his Excellency the Governor-General on the 4th May, 1878.
THE Committee of Council have had before them a Memorandum from the Honourable the Minister of Militia and Defence, having reference to the threatening relations now existing between Great Britain and Russia, and recommending that your Excellency be pleased to communicate by cable with the Imperial Government, drawing attention to the defenceless condition of our Atlantic sea-board, and the danger to the shipping interest of the Empire, should war be declared, without ample provision being made for defence, and submitting that a fleet of fast cruizers would be absolutely necessary for protection.
The Committee concur in the foregoing recommendation, and submit the same for your Excellency's approval.
Certified,
(Signed)
W. A. HIMSWORTH,
No. 124.
Clerk, Privy Council, Canada.
The Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.—(Received May 22.)
(Confidential.)
Sir,
Government House, Ottawa, May 8, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Government, a copy of a confidential communication addressed to the Minister of Militia and Defence, by Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Selby Smyth, K.C.M.G., Commanding the Militia, relating to the defence of the sea-ports of the Dominion.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure in No. 124.
DUFFERIN.
Ottawa, May 3, 1878.
(Confidential.) Sir,
THE arrival of the steamer "Cimbria" in the port of Ellsworth, State of Maine, with 60 Russian officers and 600 seamen, shipped in a Russian port in the Baltic, gives rise to surmises as to the object of her mission at this time in American waters.
It is asserted her crew are intended to man fast steamers to be purchased in America, and under the Russian pennant. These would to all intents and purposes become Russian men-of-war, intended, doubtless, to pursue and capture British traders and mail steamers in all parts of the Atlantic, in the event of a declaration of war.
It is stated the "Cimbria " has a cargo of heavy guns for naval service, and quan- tities of rifles and ammunition for troops on shore.
* No. 72.
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