Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. May 17, 1890. Page 93 of 425
CONFIDENTIAL.
STRAITS 5.
Further Reports of Local Committee.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
2126.
M.L
Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.
1. THE Colonial Defence Committee have considered the Reports of the Proceedings of the Local Committee of Singapore referred to them by the Secretary of State for War.
2. Several of the questions raised by the Local Committee have since been settled; others are in course of settlement.
3. The proposals of the Colonial Defence Committee in regard to the garrison of Singapore have been accepted by Her Majesty's Government, and steps are being taken to bring the garrison up to the strength laid down, and to obtain the Asiatic Auxiliary Force. Meanwhile, the Committee strongly dissent from the proposal of the Local Committee to tell off no less than 112 out of 182 available trained gunners for special duties. Such services as orderly duty and attending to lamps can be well performed by untrained men, and the gunners should be kept for work with the guns.
4. The Colonial Defence Committee have seen with satisfaction the decision of the Secretary of State for War that the question of armament is not to be at present reopened. The existing defences would, in their opinion, amply suffice against any probable attack.
5. There appears no reason for tying down the machine and quick-firing guns to the defence of the mine-fields. The ranges are extremely short at the eastern entrance to the inner harbour and moderate at the western entrance, so that if any special defence is required rifle fire would suffice.
6. The question of bombardment has been fully considered already. The Colonial Defence Committee are of opinion that the extent of the damage which could be inflicted at a range of 5,000 yards would be so small as not to warrant the expenditure of ammunition by an enemy's vessel, which would at the same time run risks of grave injury from the fire of the defence, and leave her with depleted magazines to encounter British ships at sea.
7. The Colonial Defence Committee fully recognize the importance of Fort Canning, and a proposal to mount the surplus 64-pounders there has already been made.
8. It appears very important that the question of the inflammability of the jungle in the neighbourhood of the defences should be definitely set at rest. They consider that the General Officer Commanding should be directed to report upon the point, and to state whether in any case some local shrub cannot be planted which, while serving the purpose of masking the works, will not take fire.
9. As it is improbable that special guard-boats will be provided, arrange- ments should be made for the hire of one or two local vessels for patrol purposes.
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