Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. July 11, is83.
CONFIDENTIAL.
JA
Report of Local Committee.
JAMAICA
Page 43
Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.
THE Colonial Defence Committee have had under consideration the Report drawn up by the local Committee of Jamaica. This Report has been prepared with much care, and contains valuable information with regard to the resources and requirements of the island. The Committee desire to point out, however, that it does not fully meet the objects aimed at in the Colonial Office Circular Memorandum of the 18th November, 1886. It was the main intention of that Memorandum to insure at all Colonial stations the existence of a general scheme of defence," drawn up "in sufficient detail to enable it to be put in force without delay." Such a.scheme, when fully matured in consulta- tion with the authorities at home, and amended from time to time, would remain as a permanent statement of the work to be undertaken in the event of war. Thus not only would new comers in the command be enabled to make them- selves conversant with the duties which they might be called upon to perform, but Her Majesty's Government would know the steps which were being taken, without the necessity for communication at a time when cables might be interrupted and facilities for the interchange of views restricted. It appears desirable, therefore, in such schemes, to separate all questions of the improvement of existing defences and the remedy of existing deficiencies. The scheme should contain a clear and definite statement of the measures proposed to be taken with existing resources on the outbreak of war, and any suggestions which may occur to the local Committee in regard to the supplementing of existing resources should be dealt with as distinct questions.
The Colonial Defence Committee suggest that these remarks should be forwarded to the Governor for his consideration, with a view to an amendment of the scheme of defence on the above lines.
As regards the details of the Report before them they offer the following observations :—
1. The difficulty of finding and repairing the Colon cable referred to by the local Committee points also to the difficulty of cutting it in mid-sea. As neutral interests might be affected by the interruption of this cable, there might be some reluctance in tampering with it near the landing-place in Columbia. If this view is correct, the defence of the shore end at Jamaica appears to be worth an effort. It appears desirable to consider whether Cow Bay at least, which is only 17 miles from Port Royal, might not receive tempo- rary defence by a small infantry force roughly intrenched.
2. The Colonial Defence Committee fully concur with the views expressed as to the submarine mine defences, and they suggest that the question should be referred to the Inspector-General of Fortifications and Engineers. In all such cases, they consider that any satisfactory scheme of submarine mine.
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