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equipping an expedition ou a scale of magnitude. But in one respect Noumea does constitute a certain menace to Australia, in that it gives to the French a pied-à-terre in Australian waters, where stray cruizers or armed merchant steamers can coal and refit, and whence they might attempt to prey on Australian trade and so inflict damage and loss on Australian interests. Although Her Majesty's ships, now reinforced in those waters by the auxiliary squadron, would exert every effort to neutralize danger from this quarter, it is evident that it could only be definitely ended by the employment of troops, and that such means would be much more decisive and effectual than any mere naval blockade. History enforces this lesson in the case of Mauritius, which, in the possession of the French, proved a most serious danger to British trade, even though at the time naval victories were frequent and crushing. In the face of a force which could act outside Australia this menace, such as it is, disappears.
W. PEACOCKE, Secretary, July 25, 1893.
Colonial Defence Committee.
(Signed)
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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.—28/7/93.
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