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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. May 1892.
CONFIDENTIAL.
54-R
Reply to Defence Circular.
CEYLON.
Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.
THE Colonial Defence Committee have considered the scheme drawn up by the Local Committee presided over by the General Officer Commanding in Ceylon. This scheme contains much valuable information; but, in its present state, cannot be regarded as adequately fulfilling the requirements of the Colony, or complying with the conditions laid down in Colonial Office Secret Circular of the 18th November, 1886. The object of a local scheme of defence, as there stated, is to lay down "arrangements for the immediate utilization of the personal and material resources of each Colony," in order that, in the event of war, preparations can at once be undertaken without confusion, loss of time, or the omissions which want of forethought may entail.
It is evident, therefore, that such a scheme of defence should be restricted. to the application of the existing resources of the Colony to the best advan- tage, and that the question of increasing those resources in cases where any serious deficiency is brought to light should be made the subject of a separate communication. And, further, it is obvious that no attempt should be made in a scheme of defence to reverse existing decisions, or to raise large matters of policy. The whole subject to which the Local Committee should address itself consists in supplying a clear answer to the question: "In what way can the whole of the existing resources of the Colony be best applied to its defence if war were now imminent ?”
Applying this test to the scheme under consideration, the defects are apparent. The scheme urges the importance of a railway to Mannár; questions the decision taken as to the disarmament of Galle, and the advisability of fortifying Trincomali, which has been completed; urges that the latter place should be handed over to the Admiralty, and proposes the occupation of Elephant Ridge, and the provision of two 9.2-in. guns for Fort Frederick. None of these matters should find place in a scheme of defence. All are entirely outside of the question of the defence of the Colony with the existing resources. At the same time, many important details capable of being worked out in advance seem to have been overlooked.
The Local Committee (p. 3) have correctly stated the probable nature of attack. "As long as England is mistress of the seas in the Indian and Chinese waters, an attack on Ceylon of the nature of a military expedition seems out of the question." The whole question of the defence of Ceylon turns upon the command of the sea, and the garrison allotted to this station has been estimated on the assumption that this command will be retained. In any case, if it were possible to convey a considerable expeditionary force for operations against Ceylon, which force would probably have to be sent from Europe, the object would be rather the seizure of a port-either Colombo or Trincomali- as a base for naval operations, than the mere occupation of the island. Under present conditions, however, it is a raid by cruizers which has to be considered,
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