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point of an enemy's squadron, indefinite dangers will attend our commerce and connection with India and the Straits. The way to prevent such a contingency is, however, not to build the fortifications for them. Let the enemy first take the island and then build the very works I deprecate now, and before those works should be very far advanced I apprehend our fleet would have it in its power to put an end to them. But then it will be urged that, wherever coal is stored, sufficient defence must be provided. This is undoubtedly true of large coal depôts that have to keep up a supply for a number of lines, and would be specially called on in case of war. The case in hand seems different. That it is not for, and cannot be required for a coaling-station for the Royal Navy, I have endeavoured to show, and that it is only useful to the Orient Line seems also probable. If so, might not a stipulation be made with that Company never to allow more than six months' supply to accumulate on the island, and that the whole should be removed within a specified time in case of necessity.
Now, estimating that one steamer would call each way once a-month, and take in 150 tons, then the limit would be 1,800 tons; and if Government apprehended the outbreak of a war, and considered it necessary to take action in the matter, the Steam-ship Company could be directed to take up the coal, or all but 200 or 300 tons, before the declaration of war, and all supplies should be stopped until permission be again granted, the steamers in the meantime either running as at present, or coaling at Trincomalee, which should, in my opinion, be the great coal store of the east.
I trust I may be excused making the foregoing remarks on the general importance of the place, and alluding to a course that might be adopted instead of spending money on fortifications. My reason for doing so arises from a desire to place the whole question, as it appears to an eye-witness, before those who have to judge of the question. If my opinions are not concurred in, their expression is unimportant, whilst I trust I have touched on some points that local knowledge has suggested which will be deemed worthy of attention.
In conclusion I beg to recapitulate my replies to the various questions asked in the document before me.
Letter from Inspector-General of Fortifications, folio 3, p. 2.
Geology-Coral atoll.
Surface. Perfectly flat.
Soil.-Disintegrated coral and vegetable matter.
Climate.—Healthy; no epidemics; temperature rather lower than in Ceylon.
Fresh-water.-Abundant at 3 feet below surface. Taste, earthy; considered wholesome.
Provision.-None. Neither cows nor sheep will live on the island, nor can any bread-stuff be grown. A certain number of pigs and poultry is kept for consumption in the estates.
dant. Scarcely any vegetables or fruits are procurable. Pumpkins grow freely.
Folio 4, paragraph 1.
Fish is abun-
Defensive capability.-None. If defended it should be by naval means, not by shore batteries.
Folio 5, paragraph 2.
Building Materials.-Coral, in block for stone, burnt for lime, and crushed for sand.
Local Labour, &c.--No local labour is available. There is no native population. No island exists in the middle of the harbour.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT BARTON, Major, R.E., O.C.R.E.
Appendix No. 1.
DIEGO Garcia.
No. 61.
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, January 7, 1882.
Sir,
WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 18th October last,* I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, the inclosed copy of a despatch from the Lieutenant- Governor of Mauritius, reporting the lease of two of the three islands in the Lagoon of Diego Garcia, with a site for a lighthouse on the main island, to the Orient Steam-ship Company, and the letting of a third island on a monthly tenancy to Mr. Lund.
I am, &c. (Signed)
JOHN BRAMSTON,
Inclosure 1 in No. 61.
My Lord,
Lieutenant-Governor Broome to the Earl of Kimberley.
Government House, Mauritius, November 26, 1881. ADVERTING to the despatch mentioned in the margin,f I have the honour to inform your Lordship that, with the concurrence of the Executive Council, I have leased the islets known as "Middle" and "East," situated in the lagoon of the Island of Diego Garcia, together with a site for a
Secretary of State to Lieutenant-Governor, July 21, 1881.
* No. 60.
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