Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. June 26, 1891.
CONFIDENTIAL.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
20
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STRAITS.
603.
Amended Report of Local Committee revised to 30th September, 1890.
Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.
THE Report of the Local Committee of the Straits Settlements, dated the 24th January, 1891, has been considered by the Colonial Defence Committee. Although this Report has been drawn up with much care, and reflects credit upon the Local Committee, the scheme of defence of the Straits Settlements appears in certain respects to require further amendment, and the remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee of the 1st February, 1889, a copy of which was forwarded to the Governor, seem to have escaped attention.
Reviewing the existing scheme as a whole, the Colonial Defence Com- mittee desire to offer the following observations:-
1. Perak Sikhs.-The Local Committee do not include the Perak Sikhs in their statement of the available troops on p. 3, and the Officer Commanding Troops, Straits Settlements, in his covering letter, states: "It is probable that only a portion could be relied upon for service here." The Colonial Defence Committee point out, however, that it has been definitely decided that 350 Perak Sikhs should proceed to Singapore immediately on the outbreak of war. So long as this decision remains in force, therefore, there is no question as to the matter, and the Sikhs must be treated as part of the war garrison of the station.
2. Johore Sikhs.-The Local Committee state (p. 11) that it is "probable that some 300 to 400 Sikhs under a British officer would be available, and also three or four steam-launches and smaller boats from the Sultan of Johore." The Colonial Defence Committee have no information as to the number and state of discipline of the Sikhs in the service of Johore, and no arrangement has been made by the Colonial Office with the Sultan as to the furnishing of any contingent. In the absence of such an arrangement, it is evidently undesirable to take account of this force; but the measures necessary for giving effect to the proposal might be further considered.
3. Fort Connaught. The Colonial Defence Committee have already pointed out (Memorandum of the 1st February, 1889, p. 3) that flank defence need not be provided for the ditches of Fort Connaught. No effective flank defence could be obtained by provisional measures, and permanent flank defence is considered unnecessary.
4. Berala Point.-Similarly, the Colonial Defence Committee have stated that the occupation of Berala Point is not required. The defence of the eastern mine-field appears to be amply provided for by Teregeh Battery and Tanjong Pagar Spit. The ranges are short. Fire from Berala Point would be dangerous to the buildings on the main island, and men posted there would
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