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War Office Returns.
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22
The military force now in the West Indies is distributed as follows:
In Jamaica
Barbados
Trinidad
Demerara.
Honduras Bahamas
652
257
113
239
248
80
First Report, paragraphs 35
and 36.
Third Report, pp. 375, 379.
Total
..
1,589
118. Of the six Colonies over which this small force is distributed, Jamaica is the only one in which we recommend the establishment of a strongly protected coaling and refitting station. Jamaica is garrisoned by only 652 men-a number insufficient, even under existing conditions, to secure Port Royal-and 937 men, being three-fifths of the whole force in the West Indies, are distributed over five Colonies, where, in the event of war, they will be of comparatively little use.
119. In our first Report, when dealing with a question relating to Hon- duras which had been specially referred to us, we expressed our opinion that in the event of war with a maritime Power it would be imperatively necessary to withdraw the small detachments which are now kept in some of the less important Colonies mainly for the maintenance of internal peace and order. We recommended that the Colonies so situated should take prompt measures to organize their police, with a view to the troops being ultimately with- drawn. Our recommendations with reference to Honduras apply equally to the four other stations, Barbados, Trinidad, Demerara, and Bahamas. By withdrawing these detachments, the whole force now in the West Indies would be available for the garrisons of Port Castries and Port Royal. We recommend, in the interests of the Colonies, that this withdrawal should take place without unnecessary delay, and during peace. The removal of an Imperial detachment on the outbreak of war might give rise to internal disturbances.
120. According to the Memorandum of the War Department, the garrison of Port Castries should be 1,750 men, and that of Port Royal 1,180 men, making a total for the West Indies of 2,930 men of all arms. Although Parliamentary Paper, Army, there are only at present 1,589 men in the West Indies, the estimated
Colonies, 1882.
regimental force in the command for the current year is :--
For Jamaica
The Windward and Leeward Islands Honduras
Total
Men.
873
1,195
200
2,268
Third Report, p. 370.
The addition of 662 men would make up the total number required by the War Office scheme; while if the scheme of the local Committee for the defence of Port Royal were found sufficient, the number estimated for the current year would meet all demands.
121. The local Committee considered that no part of the defence of Port Royal should be entrusted to native or local levies. We doubt whether any material assistance could be derived from like sources in St. Lucia, and it would appear that if additional troops are required they will have to be provided from Imperial resources.
First Report, paragraph 116.
Digest, p. 636,
VI. THE ROUTES BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND PORTS IN SOUTH AMERICA; AND ROUND CAPE HORN UP TO VANCOUVER ISLAND.
The Falkland Islands.
122. The annual value of British trade which passes round Cape Horn, or through the Straits of Magellan, is 23,457,000l. Much of this trade will be diverted to the Panamá route when the Panamá Canal is completed, and we have come to the conclusion that the Falkland Islands will, at no
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