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Island of Malta, a larger force could hardly be employed with advantage in attacking it, and if a much greater force were employed, it would probably take the form of two expeditions; one to be landed outside, and the other inside, the Madalena-Benjemma line. An expedition of this magnitude would, however, involve the entire loss of the command of the Mediterranean for a long period, in which case there is no limit to the number of men who might be landed for the attack, while a heavy siege train might also be employed. Against a contingency so remote the Committee consider it is unnecessary to provide.
The Committee are, however, convinced that the garrison of Malta ought to be permanently maintained at a strength capable of resisting attack by a land force of 20,000 men, and that a large increase is therefore imperatively required.
Upon the details of the proposed distribution of the available garrison and the various measures of defence suggested by Sir L. Simmons the Committee desire to express no opinion. They have been worked out with great care and complete local knowledge, and are doubtless the best that can be devised.
The following points alone appear to call for remark :—
1. The Committee have laid down above the form of attack against which they consider that Malta should be defended. As regards the alternative forms suggested in the Report before them, they do not consider that "the fire of passing ships would cause any serious injury to the defences, provided that all insecure magazines were emptied in the event of war; but the possible effect upon the civil population of Valetta and its suburbs is, as the Governor points out, a matter of grave moment. The Committee are of opinion, therefore, that the practicability of temporarily removing a portion of this population into the surrounding country should be thoroughly considered; and as, if at such a time the general control of the food supply were assumed by the military authorities, such a partial removal would be facilitated,, they consider that arrangements to that end should be made.
As regards the second assumed form of attack, "naval operations unassisted by a military force," the Committee consider that the possibility of the sudden entry of a hostile squadron into the port with a view subsequently to summon the garrison under threat of bombardment is to some extent provided for by the proposed armament. In their view, this form of attack is less probable than any other, and they therefore think that the provision of armour-piercing guns bearing on the interior of the harbours may be safely deferred. They do not consider that there is any probability of a fast vessel running into the harbour at speed, considering the heavy fire she would be subject to in entering and leaving, the danger she would necessarily run in the cramped interior waters, and the ease with which she could be rammed by any vessel which could be got under weigh. Moreover, the Committee are informed that arrangements have recently been made under which a large proportion of the mines will be permanently kept down, and this, in their opinion, materially modifies the chances of any attack of this nature.
2. The Committee are informed that it is proposed shortly to provide locomotive torpedoes for the defence of the entrances of the harbour of Valetta, which will, it is believed, be more effective than the proposed Whitehead batteries. Further, it is intended to provide a certain number of torpedo-boats to be kept always available for local defence. This provision will, in the opinion of the Committee, suffice to prevent any attempts of the nature above described; but they are strongly of opinion that, as pointed out by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, permanent crews should be provided for the local torpedo-boats, and they consider that a definite under- standing with regard to this matter should be arrived at with the Admiralty.
3. The Committee are informed by the Inspector-General of Fortifica- tions and Engineers that the strength of the submarine mining force at the present time is about sixty-three Royal Engineers and thirty-three trained auxiliaries, to be shortly increased by four Royal Engineer mechanists and fourteen rank and file for guard-boat service, and that it is proposed to maintain this strength until the installation of locomotive torpedoes is
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