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and the question of defence resolves itself mainly into the defence of the positions of Colombo and Trincomali. Both of these positions possess con- siderable advantages for defence, and it is to be remembered that the available landing party of a first-class cruizer is not as large as estimated by the Local Committee, and would probably not exceed 150 men. Thus, unless a large number of cruizers or transports conveying troops from a great distance were employed, the possibilities of attack in force are remote, and with existing resources well organized and applied, Colombo and Tricomali should be capable of offering a strong resistance. In regard to Galle, it is for the consideration of the General Officer Commanding whether it would not be possible to take measures to prevent the coaling of a single cruizer at Galle, where the greater part of the harbour* appears to be commanded at field-gun ranges from Mudlia Hill. Such measures would at least appear to be practicable as soon as the 30 miles of railway required to complete the distance from Colombo to Galle have been constructed.
The following are some of the principal deficiencies in the scheme under consideration:-
1. The immediate steps to be taken on the outbreak of war are laid down (pp. 7, 8); but no arrangements are made for the movements of troops and volunteers referred to.
2. It is stated (p. 8) that a volunteer camp is to be formed. The neces- sary stores and transport required should be laid down,
3. The necessity for quartering men in close vicinity to the Mutwal and Battenberg Batteries is pointed out (p. 13). The Committee propose the building of barracks and the purchase of a house. This, however, does not seem to be required in time of peace, and provisional arrangements could apparently be made to meet an emergency.
4. The question of supplies (p. 8) should be more fully considered, and the arrangements required for procuring them, the places from which they would be obtained, and the officials who would be employed in this service, should be laid down.
5. Similarly, any measures which may be required in connection with the distribution of ammunition should be detailed. If the distribution which obtains in peace time is not suitable to the needs of war, the necessary changes can be foreseen within reasonable limits.
6. The signal stations which would be required to be maintained should be named, and men and stores required for them should be told off.
7. It is stated (p. 8) that an "Intelligence Department with Interpreters would be organized. The necessary measures should be laid down in advance, and a list of qualified interpreters prepared.
8. The Local Committee report that "there is sufficient telephonic apparatus. . . . to admit of the General Officer Commanding being in telephonic communication with the various batteries, and the Commanding Royal Engineer will arrange for its proper application when the time comes. This, however, is pre-eminently one of the matters which should be fully arranged in advance.
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9. Similarly, if works are to be executed at the passages of the Kelani Gunga and the Kirilpani Canal, the details should be worked out, the sites determined, and estimates of time, labour, material, and tools, drawn up. In the improbable event of a hostile descent upon the coast of Ceylon at a point north of Colombo, it must apparently be assumed that the enemy would be in greatly superior force. It is, therefore, questionable whether it is advisable to offer more than a temporary resistance at places so far from the main position, and this point appears to require reconsideration. In other cases also the construction of new works seems to be contemplated, but no details of the requirements are provided.
10. It is stated that the natives to the south of Colombo "should be compelled to bring in all their stock, bullocks, carts, and supplies of all sorts to Colombo, or to move them inland." The scheme does not clearly show under what circumstances this course would be adopted; but caution would evidently be needed in bringing a confused mass of men, vehicles, and cattle into the town, and limitations, as well as arrangements for controlling the incomers, appear to be required.
* The access to this harbour is described as “difficult and dangerous" by the Local Committee.
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