CO885(2-3) — Page 517

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO İ

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

19

Reference :-

C.O.885

3PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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In the meantime this return shows that the whole effective force on the Coast does not exceed 850 men, whilst the numbers represented by a regiment and a half at full, or established, strength would amount to about 1,125.

The deficiency is doubtless to be accounted for by the difficulty which is experienced in obtaining recruits for these regiments; but it seems to prove that one regiment supplemented by another com- pany as proposed, ought, for all practical pur- poses, to suffice for the West Coast of Africa.

I

may

remark that all these West India Regi- ments, with the exception of the one serving in Jamaica, are very much below their established strength, and it seems impossible to expect that more than three of them can be effectively main- tained.

Upon the whole, therefore, with a view to the preparation of the Estimates for the ensuing year, I should propose that the following Troops should be immediately recalled from the Colonics, and that

the addition of their number to those which at

present constitute the whole force in this country, should be borne in mind in considering what num- ber it is necessary to include in the Votes to be

submitted to Parliament, viz. :-

From Canada-

One Regiment of Cavalry,

Three Battalions of Infantry.

From Nova Scotia and New Brunswick-

Two Battalions of Infantry.

From Australia—

One Battalion of Infantry.

From Galle and China-

One Battalion of Infantry.

From Mauritius:-

One Battalion of Infantry.

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Total, nine Battalions of Infantry and one Regiment of Cavalry.

I further propose the withdrawal from Canada

of three Batteries of Field, and three of Garrison Artillery; and from Nova Scotia of one Field Battery;--which will cause a total reduction of 1,124 Artillerymen.

In addition to the distribution of Regimental Establishments on which the Army Estimates were founded for the current year, I have enclosed a copy of that on which, so far as at present arranged, it is proposed to found those of the coming year (as regards the Colonies).

Your Lordship will observe that the item of Total for the Colonies is reduced from 50,025 in

the former to 34,852 in the latter, making a reduc- tion of upwards of 15,000; of this number, however, a considerable portion had already been reduced by

our predecessora in Office, and I should perhaps have proposed to your Lordship to carry the present reduction further, if the state of the barrack accom- modation in this country had enabled the War Department to provide for a larger number of troops at home than my present proposal contem- plates.

I have, moreover, been desirous that, in laying down principles for our future guidance, and in giving them immediate effect, we should not act precipitately, or fail to pay due regard to any reasou- able expectations which any of those whose interests may be affected, may have entertained.

I shall hope to be able to propose a further reduction in time for the Estimates of 1870-1.

Malta, Gibraltar, the Bermudas, Newfound- land, Halifax, Simons Bay, and St. Helena, ] regard as Stations occupied for Imperial purposes,