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accounts, perhaps, exaggerated, but matters seem serious. I should like Government of India to be authorised to comply, if I should make a requisition for more troops, but I will not ask for more than are really necessary. Force from India is now arriving at Penang. My intention is to send Goorkas at once to Malacca, leaving a total force for Perak of 1,200, exclusive of sailors.
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which appear to me of considerable importance, will not reach you in time to be of much Practical use.
I have, &c. (Signed)
CARNARVON.
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No. 68.
Telegram from GOVERNOR SIX W. JERVOIS to the EARL OF CARNARVON, dated Penang, December 8, 1875.-(Received December 9.)
PART force from India in Larut, and near Qualla Kandia force from Residency about I have written to move up Perak River. Late letter from Ismail unsatisfactory. requesting him to meet officer deputed by me; 350 Goorkas and 30 artillery gone to Malacca and Sungie Ujong. I think accounts thence much exaggerated. Have sent Colonel Anson there, instructed to inquire and report, and to prevent hasty movement. In my judgment no foundation for apprehension of national rising.
SIR,
No. 69.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
Downing Street, December 9, 1875.
In reply to your letter of the 30th ultimo,* I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to request that you will inform the Secretary of State for War that it is im- possible at present to state how long the troops will be needed in Perak, and as regards their composition his Lordship cannot yet furnish an accurate statement; a table how- ever is enclosed of the numbers and regiments prepared as accurately as telegraphic information permits as to the incidence of the expenditure. I am desired to say that Lord Carnarvon apprehends that it must fall on Imperial funds.
The Colonial revenues will have to bear heavy incidental charges counected with this matter, and as the troops will be employed altogether beyond the Settlements and not in connexion with the affairs of the Colonial Government, it would not be prudent to count upon that Government for any material money assistance as regards the cost of moving and employing the military and naval forces."
I am, &c. (Signed)
The Under Secretary,
War Office.
Enclosure in No. 69.
TROOPS SENT FROM INDIA.
3rd Buffs (European Regiment).
GENERAL Ross.
1st Goorkhas (Native Regiment).
A Battery of Artillery (with mountain guns).
(No. 267.)
No. 70.
R. H. MEADE.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Downing Street, December 10, 1875.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you for your information a copy of a letter which Sir G. Balfour has written to Mr. Lowther respecting various questions connected with affairs in the Malay Peninsula.
I have caused Sir G. Balfour to be thanked for this communication, and have told him that it would be brought to your notice; but I apprehend that some of his suggestions
• No. 61.
DEAR MR. LOWTHER,
Enclosure 1. in No. 70.
SIR G. BALFOUR to Colonial Office.
6, Cleveland Gardens, November 13th, 1875.
I BEG to place before you the following information respecting the Straits of Malacca, acquired during my Indian service. Between 1827 and 1831, I commanded detachments of artillery at Singapore, Malacca, and Penang. In 1832 I was sent back from Madras to Malacca in command of artillery reinforcements for the operations known as the Nanning War of 1831-32, which were brought to a most successful close by about 800 Madras Native Infantry, two companies of Madras Native Sappers, and 30 European Artillery. A religious war had then also been declared, and the leader was also a holy man, but peace was established by gallant fighting, it has ever since been maintained, and the leader, after being a fugitive for some time, lived at Malacca for many years on a small pension. The operations were carried on through a dense jungle, through which a wide clearing was effected, and the last fight was at Nanning, 30 miles from Malacca.
Subsequently, between 1849 and 1859, I had supervision over some of the military arrange. ments in the Straits. In 1860, 1861, and part of 1862 all military expenditure of every description incurred in the Straits was, in common with that of India, and in Burmah, under my control, and necessarily all details, even as respects rations and hospital diets, were subject to my investigation. Under that experience I mention that the provisioning of the troops ordered to the Malay Peninsula may not be easy to arrange, for there are neither oxen nor sheep in the Malay Peninsula, there are buffaloes, but the beef is not eatable. The sources of supply for ox beef to Singapore were formerly limited, and should distrust there being now sufficient for the reinforcements. The troops in Burmah and at Rangoon are however well supplied with bullocks from the Shan (bill) States, bordering on Siam and China. Rice is abundant, but nearly all other articles for rations and for hospital diets are imported from India, and, excepting bread, the like course must be followed in respect to the force ordered to Perak.
There is one difficulty to which immediate attention should be given. Apparently, reinforcements are sent from Calcutta, but Madras has hitherto made all the arrange- ments for Burmah, and if Bengal now furnishes the Malay force, the supplies of pro- visions, diets, followers, and commissariat officers, which Madras would make as a matter of course if it had supplied the troops, may be overlooked in Calcutta; this is one of the troublesome, and indeed dangerous conflicts of authority existing in India, owing to the presidency distinctions as to armies. The commissariat, both as respect officers, followers, and supplies, now at Rangoon and in Burmah, for the forces sent from Madras are trained and qualified by experience for the operations at Perak. These should at once be ordered from Rangoon to the Straits, and sufficient for the force and for field operations; with them should be sent 30 days rations for Europeans and Natires, and supplies of hospital diets and comforts for one-fifth of the force, complete with followers. Four days steaming would be the voyage from Rangoon. I have no doubt Chinese bakers of Penang and Singapore may be induced to go to the scene of operations with all their baking apparatus; the Governor of the Straits must pay these men well, guarantee good treatment, and above all not to be exposed to fire. The troops will then be certain of excellent bread. Transport cattle cannot be had at all sufficient for supply- ing a European force, Madras should furnish bullocks and drivers. This is one of our ditficulties when employing European soldiers. If our operations are distant from the River Banks, the sending forward of supplies for the Europeans will be a serious question, It is therefore to be hoped that the streams in that part of the Peninsula will be made use of. Let me therefore suggest that the Admiralty enjoin the formation of boats and vessels for the transport of supplies of every kind for the army, but entirely subordinate to the commanding officer of the troops. If naval formalities are enforced, as I have often seen, and if inmediate compliance with the troop commanding officer's orders be delayed by appeals to senior paval officers, some serious failures will assuredly result. The military must have boats and steamers at their sole disposal.
The sick may be expected in considerable numbers, and should at once be removed. At Malucca and Penang there are excellent buildings for hospitals, and with a steamer kept
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