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will, very naturally, be disinclined to tax themselves for an additional police force or for a militia, so long as the troops remain. Besides, they are probably, more or less directly, a source of revenue, and in a social sense they are no doubt regarded as an acquisition.
The question of telegraphic communication has, I believe, already engaged the atten- tion of the Executive. The importance of it is obvious in the absence of the troops.
As a factor in any defence scheme I do not see that the Bahamas could take a share; but surely the Colony might organize and maintain a police reserve, to be called out only in time of local disturbance, though armed and drilled like the rest, and thus prevent the necessity of the troops having to return at a moment, it may be, when they are employed before the enemy.
Thus far the Bahamas and all Colonies similarly circumstanced might aid in the general defence scheme without, so far as I can see, running much risk of being interfered with.
Although, most probably, no military use will ever be made of it, I may as well state modern engineers seem to be of opinion that the defence of Nassau Harbour would be incomplete without a battery on Hog Island.
C. K. PEARSON, Major-General.
Nassau, Bahamas, April 10, 1888.
(Signed)
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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HABRISON.—19/7/88.
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