"The strategic situation of Singapore renders the port liable to attack— "1. By the garrison maintained by France in Indo-China.
"2. By Japan.
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3. By Russia from her base in the Far East.
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"As regards (1) the French garrison in Indo-China consists in round numbers of 6,000 Europeans and 15,000 natives; but it is widely scattered in small detachments over an extensive area, the population of which is to a great extent hostile. It has been calculated, therefore, that the largest force which could be put in the field for offensive purposes would be not more than 4,400 infantry (European and native) and four mountain batteries. Saigon, the port of Indo- China, is 600 miles distant from Singapore. It has a fair harbour, and is protected by the difficulties of navigation.
"As regards (2), Japan has proved her capability of sending a military expedition of over 60,000 men across the seas. She has ample means of transport and good bases. Nagasaki is 2,400 miles from Singapore, while the new advanced base Formosa is but 1,680 miles.
"As regards (3) the Russian base, Vladivostok is 3,700 miles from Singapore; but the acquisition by Russia of a nearer port (free from ice throughout the year) may be effected in the not very distant future. Moreover, when the Siberian Railway is finished and in efficient working order, an event which may be expected early in the 20th century, the military power of Russia in the Far East will be materially increased. At present, however, it is not thought that Russia, either acting by herself or in combination with France, could furnish meu for a military expedition against Singapore; but her increased Eastern navy, if acting from French bases, could much facilitate the transport of a French expeditionary force from Indo-China.
"It will be seen from the above considerations that Singapore might possibly be menaced by a very powerful attack from Japan, or by a serious attack from French Indo-China, with the possible assistance of Russia's naval forces in the Far East. An attack of this nature on a large scale cannot, however, be delivered so long as Her Majesty's navy maintains sea supremacy, and the Admiralty have accepted the responsibility of protecting all British territory abroad against organized invasion from the sea.
"Her Majesty's ships, however, while engaged in hunting out and destroying the squadrons of an enemy, may not be in a position to prevent the predatory raids of hostile cruisers on British ports; but it is in the highest degree improbable that such a raid would be made by more than a few ships, nor could it have any permanent effect unless troops could be landed. Moreover, the available landing parties of a few cruisers, in constant expectation of having to oppose Her Majesty's ships, would not be a formidable body in point of numbers.
It is to meet sea raids of this nature that Singapore has been fortified and garrisoned, and the present Defence Scheme drawn up."
The
6. Page 7, paragraph 2.-This paragraph also requires to be rewritten. strategic conditions, as well as the strength of the garrison, restrict the area over which the troops would be distributed at outbreak of war, but as it is rightly con- templated, under certain contingencies mentioned at the end of paragraph 5, to move troops outside the limits laid down in paragraph 2, it is not correct to say that the defence of a larger front than between these limits is impracticable.
The Remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee, dated the 27th May, 1893, which are referred to in regard to the withdrawal of the garrison of Tanjong Katong have been superseded by the later Remarks of the Committee, dated the 13th July, 1896, and arrangements should be made, if, and as long as the work is occupied at all, for a small detachment of infantry to support the artillery in resisting any attempt at capturing the fort.
Chapter II.-Organization.
7. Page 11, Head-quarters Staff.-The Chief Ordnance Officer should be added to this staff in accordance with paragraph 72, Section V, Queen's Regulations, 1895, as amended by A.O. 125, of the 1st July, 1896.
8. Pages 12 to 21 (B) Distribution of Troops.-The abolition of the sectional organization will render possible some concentration of the infantry defence, and to this subject, as well as to the distribution of the troops in general, the very earnest consideration of the General Officer Commanding is directed. The Committee under- stand that apart from staff and district establishment and officers R.A., there are to be some 308 British, and 118 Native Imperial Artillery at Singapore. There are also about 100 European Artillery Volunteers. When the revised armament has all been mounted, these numbers should suffice without drawing on the infantry for a complete relief for each heavy, medium, and field gun, for two reliefs for each light Q.-F. gun, and for the necessary range-finders, telephonists, magazine-men, storemen, &c., for artillery purposes. Until that time it may be necessary to work the 7-inch R.M.L. guns with reduced detachments, or to leave some of them unmanned. It should be
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