Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. November 1893.
CONFIDENTIAL.
YO-R
MAURITIUS.
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Page 177
MAURITIUS.
No. 39.
Scheme of Defence revised to September 1892.
Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.
BEFORE proceeding to deal with the present Scheme of Defence, the Colonial Defence Committee desire to explain that the previous Scheme of Defence for Mauritius was not considered in the usual way, owing to the fact that when it was finally placed before them for consideration they were informed at the same time that a revised Scheme was on its way to England. As the remarks of the Committee would thus have crossed the new Scheme on its way home, it seemed useless to forward them to the Colony.
The present Scheme, as revised to September 1892, is a distinct improve- ment on its predecessor, and, much more nearly satisfies the requirements of a Defence Scheme. It contains much valuable matter, and gives evidence of care and thought having been exercised in its preparation.
1. It is, however, desirable that it should be recast in the shape recom- mended in Colonial Defence Committee's printed Memorandum No. 46, entitled "Remarks on Schemes of Defence and the form in which they should be drawn up," which has lately been circulated to all Colonies and coaling stations. A comparison of the present Scheme with those "Remarks" will show that there are still certain points in which it is incomplete. These, no doubt, will be made good in the next annual revision, and, assuming this to be done, the following points alone seem to call for comment by the Colonial Defence Committee.
2. Pages 12, 13. Guard-boats, Lights, Buoys, and Beacons.-Various experiments of late years lead to the conclusion that movable guard-boats and patrol-boats in connection with mine-fields are rarely of practical use, and only tend to embarrass the defence. They are apt to mask the fire of the shore defences, require specially skilful handling, and no satisfactory recog- nition signals have yet been devised for them. Moreover, the cases are rare where hostile ships have either the means for, or would make use of, counter- mining, and, as a rule, the measures arranged against raiding attacks, referred to farther on, give sufficient protection to the mine-fields.
*It will be necessary to reconsider the arrangements for sub-marine mine defence and also the Harbour Regulations, so as to bring them into accordance with the guiding principles lately approved by the Joint Naval and Military Committee, which have been communicated to all General Officers Com- manding by the War Office, and to all Governors of Colonies by Colonial Office despatch of the 12th May, 1893.
*The Report of the Local Joint Naval and Military Committee has since been received, and will be dealt with separately.-SEC.
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