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Captain McCallum has a suggestion upon this head which I think is an excellent temporary expedient, inexpensive, and, indeed, probably permanently useful.
16. It is my opinion that gun-boats and torpedo boats. in a word, moveable defences, would be of very special value in the defence of a place like Singapore. I have requested the Secretary of State to cause the new colonial steamer to be constructed in such a manner as to enable her, on emergency, to carry three heavy guns. I am also of opinion that, in the reorganization of the police force, a more military character should be given to it, and especially to its Sikh element, so that it may be available as an auxiliary if needed.
17. The question of the number and composition of the garrison is one that will doubtless come under the consideration of the Committee, but I should like to hear the opinion of military men before making any remarks on the subject. I believe, however, that a Volunteer Naval Brigade and a Volunteer Field Artillery Corps with very light guns, supported by some good rifle shots, would be very useful, if taken up in a spirit of real work, as in some other colonies.
18. The very great and increasing strategical importance of Singapore is. self-evident, and is, moreover, so fully admitted, that anything that I could add to the testimony of his Excellency General Sir William D. Jervois, Captain Colomb, and many others, would be superfluous. It is admitted by all authorities that it is probable that it may hereafter become advisable to extend the present scheme, and, therefore, I would suggest to the Committee the consideration of the effect of putting the heaviest possible guns on St. John's Island, or some adjacent position or positions, which I have not yet had the opportunity of visiting.
In conclusion, I need hardly remind the Committee that, in laying my views before them, at Lord Kimberley's request, I do not assume to speak with technical knowledge or authority, but, as a very distinguished officer of the Royal Engineers once said to me, "Common sense has a great deal to do with these matters," and I trust that the view that I have presented may prove intelligible and not unreasonable.
(Signed)
FRED. A. WELD, Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Straits Settlements.
Appendix No. 4.
SINGAPORE.
Singapore, November 10, 1880.
Inclosure 17 in No. 74.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Sir,
Downing Street, June 24, 1881.
I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Childers, the accompanying despatch from the Governor of the Straits Settlements, transmitting the Report of the Local Committee appointed, as proposed in your letter of the 19th June, 1880, to consider the question of the defences of Singapore; and I am to request to be informed whether the information now furnished is sufficient for the purpose, or whether the Local Committee should be desired to hold an inquiry de novo, with the view of furnishing the Report suggested in your letter of the 25th Feb- ruary last.*
2. Lord Kimberley presumes that when your letter of the 25th February last was written requesting that Reports might be prepared by Committees of Colonial, Military, and Naval officers, Mr. Childers had before him the similar Reports already received from Esquimault, the Cape of Good Hope, and Hong Kong, but that the information given was not considered sufficiently complete.
3. I am to state that Lord Kimberley will be glad to receive an early answer to this letter, so that, if considered necessary, his Lordship's Circular despatch, referred to in the letter from this Department of the 22nd instant, may be sent to the Straits Settlements by the mail of the 1st July.
I am, &c. (Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
Sir,
Inclosure 18 in No. 74.
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, June 29, 1881.
WITH reference to your letter dated the 24th June, 1881,† transmitting despatch from the Governor of the Straits Settlements, with the Report of the Local Committee appointed to consider the question of the defences of Singapore, and requesting to be informed whether the information furnished is sufficient, or if further inquiry should be held with a view to furnishing the Report suggested in War Office letter of the 25th February last,* I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, that the Report now furnished affords information on most of the points alluded to in the letter dated the 26th July, 1880, from the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Colonel Crossman, C.M.G., R.E., now on his way to Hong Kong and Singapore, will confer with the local authorities on the general scheme of defence; and will be enabled to elucidate any special points not dealt with in this Report. It will, therefore, be unnecessary that the Local Committee should again report de novo, but I am to suggest that Colonel Crossman, while at Singapore, should be afforded an opportunity of considering the Report of the Committee.
I am to add that paragraph 2 of your letter under reply is correct in assuming that the infor-
* Inclosure 1 in No. 6, Appendix No. 1, First Report.
[1103]
No. 1 in Appendix No. 1, First Report.
Inclosure 17 in No. 74.
3 U
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