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These, with the exception of Galle, do not include those additional ones which were proposed by the Local Joint and Naval Committee to be established in war, and they may be existing civil stations, in which case Hambantota, Batticaloa, and Kanke- santurai have been added since the Local Defence Committee reported in 1896. On page 71 of the Defence Scheme a list of the same signal stations is given, as are shown on the map, but omitting Kankesanturai. It would appear from these various references that twelve signalling stations requiring twenty-four men are contemplated, but some of these may not be essential for military purposes, and the Colonial Defence Committee recommend that the G.O.C. should be asked to furnish a special report on the whole question.
10. Pages 2 and 3, paragraph 11.-The Local Defence Committee here refer to the Secret Order in Council of the 26th October, 1896, but no allusion is made to it in the body of the Scheme, except with regard to the proclamation bringing it into force (page 71), though it is apparently contemplated to take extensive action under it. The Local Committee state that the Order has rendered unnecessary a Military Compensation Board, as it empowers the Governor to lay down rates of compensation for services rendered, but they appear to have overlooked the 13th sub-section of Section III, which directs the appointment of a Board for the purpose of determining compensation and fixing prices. The whole Order requires further careful study locally, so that the action that will be taken under it when it is proclaimed may be fully laid down
in the Defence Scheme.
11. Page 3, paragraph 13.—The Local Defence Committee state that no measures have been taken to carry out the former local proposal, which was endorsed by the Colonial Defence Committee, to remove the petroleum stores at Colombo to a place outside the town. At the same time they state that the tanks constitute a serious danger, "not only to the native town which surrounds them, but also to the shipping in harbour." This leaves the matter as it was before, and is most unsatisfactory. It is obviously more for the local military and civil authorities in consultation than for the Colonial Defence Committee to make recommendations as to how this recognized danger can be met. The special attention of the Governor should be called to this point.
Defence Scheme.
CHAPTER I.
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12. Page 7.-The statements made in the Introductory Remarks do not bring out with sufficient clearness that the raison d'être of the Imperial garrison at Colombo is the protection of (1) the Imperial coaling and refitting station of Trincomali, and (2) the mercantile harbour and mercantile coaling port of Colombo.
The former station has been adopted by Her Majesty's navy having regard to the fact that Colombo Harbour would be too small for naval requirements in time of war. The large and well sheltered harbour of Trincomali is admirably adapted to naval needs, and would also be used as a harbour of refuge for mercantile shipping in war, the absence of any such harbour of refuge on the eastern and western coasts of southern India much enhancing the value of both Trincomali and Colombo.
13. Page 7, sixth paragraph.-It is stated that the general defensive arrangements for Ceylon would include the guarding of the cable lines to India, and the establish- ment of an alternative means of communication. These are also given on page 9, first paragraph, as the sixth "condition governing the Fortress of Trincomali." The duties mentioned scarcely appear to pertain to the Commander of that fortress, and they are not referred to in the orders given to him on pages 37 and 38. It is gathered from page 72 that some arrangements for the protection of the cable house at Manaar by police have been made by the Government Agent, Northern Province, but no details as to these arrangements are recorded, nor is there any further reference to the establishment of an alternative means of communication, which would presumably be a fast steamer taken up to ply between Manaar and Paumben.
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