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350 Sikhs from Perak, they would still be insufficient. Notwithstanding that, the Colonial Defence Committee do not rate the probable danger of land attack so highly as the Local Committee. Moreover, the Colonial Defence Committee are informed that the raising of the existing infantry battalion to war strength (as proposed in their Memorandum above referred to) has now been approved by the Secretary of State for War.
The details of the arrangements of such a defence as that of Singapore must necessarily be drawn up on the spot, and the Colonial Defence Committee desire to draw attention to the following points in the scheme under con- sideration
1. The Local Committee rightly regard the Alexandra position as the only point on which a coup de main is likely to be attempted. It appears, therefore, that some effort should be made, in the event of war, to strengthen this position, and that such strengthening, which is not alluded to by the Committee, might well take precedence of some of the field-work recom- mended.
2. The weakness of the position of Tanjong Katong is admitted; but, on the other hand, the capture of the works placed there would not weaken the defence in any material degree. The reinforcement of this isolated spot would be necessarily difficult as pointed out by the Committee, and all that appears practicable is to garrison the work as fully as means allow, and supplement its defence by such obstacles as can be created, of which entanglements would be specially valuable.
They do not consider that any further expense should be incurred on the work in peace time.
3. It appears to the Colonial Defence Committee that the proposed additions to the permanent works should be of a field nature, and that the Local Committee contemplate measures somewhat beyond the means of which the station disposes. Thus, they do not consider it necessary to provide flank defence for the ditches of Blakan-Mati, or to occupy Berala Point.
4. Caution should be exercised in clearing the jungle. Not only is it desirable to utilize the natural obstacle it provides, but an injudicious clearing may lay bare the works to a dangerous extent, as pointed out by the Colonial Engineer. The clearing of an extended field of fire becomes of less importance in proportion to the strength of the near obstacle, and entanglements or good abbatis within close range of the works should therefore be first taken in hand in a case where an infantry attack cannot well be pressed home.
5. Somewhat too much importance appears to have been attached to the defence of the mine-fields, which in the case of Singapore are all commanded by artillery fire, while the ranges are so short that the co-operation of infantry fire can be obtained.
6. The Local Committee further recommend the provision of eight guard- boats for the defence of the mines, to be manned by a half-company of infantry. In the case of broad channels, and more especially where thick weather prevails, the guard-boat defence of mine-fields may be necessary; but these conditions do not obtain at Singapore, where the air is almost invariably clear, the ranges very short, and electric lights are provided. The Colonial Defence Committee consider, therefore, that guard-boat defence is not of primary importance, and that not more than two guard-boats would in any case be required, and that the half-company of infantry might be more usefully employed in the general defence.
The distant patrolling of the waters of attack is of great importance, however, and it is desirable that the Committee should lay down the arrange- ments necessary to procure and utilize the service of the steamers alluded to in section 12 of their Report.
7. The Colonial Defence Committee fully concur with the Local Committee, that a system of telegraph or telephone communication between the forts and Mount Faber, and the connection of the Horsborough Light- house by telegraph and the Raffles Light-house by visual signalling with Singapore, is desirable.
8. As regards the proposed Militia Bill (section 17), the Colonial Defence Committee would prefer to await experience of the working of the Volunteer Ordinance of the 26th October, 1888, before proceeding to further legislation.
9. It appears desirable that the Local Committee should prepare drafts
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