3
Page 196
* The conditions are still the same as in 1887, except that the French- force in Réunion has been partly concentrated at Diego Suarez, and although our ships, resting on such bases as Zanzibar, Johanna, or ports in Madagascar itself, might be trusted to watch that place, it must be recognized as a distinct possibility that an attempt might be made at the outbreak of war to rush the island in some such manner as sketched at p. 31, and that "previous preparations for this might have been quietly made by directing drafts of troops, nominally for Diego Suarez, Annam, or Tonquin, to concentrate near Mauritius."
The Committee are therefore of opinion that, as the idea of raising a local force has been abandoned, and as the Admiralty has distinctly stated that it cannot undertake to insure the safe arrival of reinforcements at outbreak of war, at least the present authorized war garrison of 1,494 regulars should be maintained in peace time in the island. They understand that there is no likelihood at present of the War Office being able to make such an arrange- ment, having due regard to the wants of other stations, but they desire to again urge that this important matter may not be lost sight of.
*
**
*
*The intended dispatch of 8,000 to 10,000 troops to Madagascar, ostensibly for operations against the Hovas, is, however, rumoured in the French newspapers of the current week. (SEC. 19/1/94.)
Page 196
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.~25/1/94.
Page 196