}
4
Page 327
23. Pages 58, lines 11 and 12.-The Fire Commander and Battery Commanders should be told off, and made thoroughly acquainted with their duties in time of peace, and not on the first day of preparation for hostilities. This remark applies also to the end of the final paragraph on page 49.
24. Pages 59 and 60.-The authority for putting the Harbour Traffic Regulations into force is the Harbour-master, and his action, which will be that of a Civil Department, should be given with the Traffic Regulations in Chapter VI of the Report, and not under the heading "Submarine Mining" on these pages.
The Traffic Regulations as they are now embodied in the scheme are satisfactory. As already recommended in the remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee dated the 19th January, 1894, they should not be put in force against British war-ships. The necessary recognition signals between Her Majesty's ships and fortresses are in existence, and will be communicated at the right time. By this means a British war-vessel will be readily recognized, and there will be no necessity for imposing on her further restrictions.
56
25. Pages 63 to 73.-It would be more convenient if Tables (A), (B), and (C), pp. 63 to 71, came at the end of the section headed Works," and Tables (D) and (E), pp. 72 and 73, at the end of that headed "Submarine Mining."
26. Pages 74 and 75.-See paragraph 8 of these remarks with reference to the proposals under the headings "Medical Officers" and "Hospital Attendants," that additional officers and men should be sent out from England when war was imminent.
27. Page 79, Tables (B) and (D). These appear to repeat information already given on Table (A), pp. 77 and 78. It is thought that Tables (B). and (C) might be omitted, the source of supply whether from A.M.D., O.S.D., or A.S.C., of the various stores being indicated on Table (A). With regard to Table (C), see paragraph 8 of these remarks.
Chapter IV.
28. Pages 85 to 87.-It is recommended that the instructions to the Officers Commanding Nos. I and II Sections of the Defence be modified in accordance with paragraph 11 of these remarks.
29. Pages 88 and 89.-It would be advisable that the officer to command No. III Section of the Defence should be told off in time of peace, so that he may make himself thoroughly acquainted with the nature of his duties, which are arduous and responsible.
Chapter VI.
30. The Colonial Defence Committee are fully alive to the importance of the various matters connected with the extra powers required by the civil and military authorities in time of war dealt with in this Chapter, and in the correspondence printed as an Appendix to the Scheme. They have made recommendations concerning them in a separate Memorandum.
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
(Signed)
August 9, 1895.
Page 327
Printed at thE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.—12/8/95.
Page 327