Page 261
their employment should be confined to stretcher, signalling, and cycling duties.” They further state (p. 11), that the Volunteers numbering 182 at Accra and 124 at Cape Coast "cannot be relied on as a defensive body," and they report that "although the Cape Coast detachment has not been disbanded, their carbines and uniform have been called in." The Acting Governor considers that the efficiency of the Volunteers has certainly been impeded by official neglect, but he is not prepared to admit that this cannot be remedied and proper efficiency secured."
The Colonial Defence Committee consider that the Cape Coast delachment certainly should not be disbanded. As a company of the West India Regiment was only stationed at that place very temporarily, and is not likely to return, it is necessary that an efficient local force should exist for the protection of the town and of the specie kept there.
The Committee recommend that the Governor should carefully consider and report on the steps necessary to improve the efficiency of the Volunteers both at Cape
Coast and Accra.
They also recommend that the Volunteers should carry a small-arm of the same calibre as that used by the Gold Coast Constabulary, and by Her Majesty's forces.
Defence Scheme. Chapter I.
4. Pages 7 and 8. In paragraph 3 of their Remarks No. 171 R, dated the 9th September, 1897, the Colonial Defence Committee laid down what were at that time the strategic conditions of the Gold Coast, and these have been in part embodied in the present revision of the Defence Scheme. They have, however, changed in some respects, and might now be recast in some such words as follows, which should appear at the commencement of Chapter I:-
The Colony of the Gold Coast has a coast-line of about 300 miles in extent. To the west, as far as the 9th parallel, its frontier is conterminous with that of the French Colony of Côte d'Ivoire; beyond that point, and on the north, it is shut in by the French Sudan. To the east it is bounded by the Neutral Zone and the German Colony of Togoland.
With the measures which would be taken to deal with an attack overland the present Scheme is not concerned, as such measures must depend on the political and military situation of the moment, and cannot, therefore, now be foreseen. But it may be noted that the French forces in the Ivory Coast Colony do not at present exceed 500 men, and that the garrisons of the whole of the French Colonies in West Africa now amount to about 1,100 Europeans and 7,000 natives spread over a considerable area. 1,000 Europeans and 2,000 native troops are concentrated at St. Louis and Dakar; a force of about 1,200 is employed in Dahomey and Dahomey Hinterland, and the remainder are spread over the large area of the French Sudan. The troops in Dahomey are facing superior British forces in the Niger Territories, and a garrison at the French naval base and coaling station of Dakar, about 1,500 miles from Accra, would he a necessity on the outbreak of war. recent campaign against Sikasso has shown, however, that from the Sudan the French can organize and dispatch a column of 1,500 strong for a sudden attack. The northern territories of the Gold Coast might, therefore, be invaded by a force of that strength.
The
As regards Togoland, no attack from that Colony need be anticipated, as the total force maintained by Germany is only 150 men. There is no harbour, and Klein Popo, the port of call for steamers, is an open roadstead.
As regards the possibility of an attack from the sea, there is no objective which would tempt an attack from a hostile squadron, nor is such an attack probable so long as Her Majesty's Navy retain supremacy at sea. An attack by a single cruiser requires consideration. Such a ship could not afford, however, to expend much ammunition, and thus run the risk of being caught with half-empty magazines by one of Her Majesty's ships, but she might land a small force of 100 to 200 men at Accra to seize the cable end there or at any of the chief towns along the coast to exact a ransom or effect damage. It is to deal with an attack of this nature that the present Scheme has been drawn up.
The chapter should then go on to describe the towns on the coast generally, as in pungrach 1 has to page 7 of the present revision of the Scheme, but abling the approximate numbers of inhabitants.
The description of the cable communications of the Gold Coast now given in Chapter II (p. 12) should be transferred to Chapter I, as it pertains rather to the strategie conditions of the Colony than to its tactical defence.
Chapter II.
3. Pho ollects to command in war at Acera, Cape Coast, and Bhaina, respectively, should be toid off a the ermaneneement of this ehapter midder the titles of their peac appointments.
Page 261
Page 261