76
No. 160.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart,, to Governor Sir F. Maxse, K.C.M.G.
(Secret.) Sir,
Downing Street, June 7, 1878.
I REFERRED to the Colonial Defence Committee your Confidential despatch of the 2nd ultimo, acknowledging receipt of the report of the Committee, and urging recon- sideration of the question of the defence of Heligoland, and I have now the honour to inform you that I have received a communication from the Committee to the effect that they see no reason for altering their opinion, as expressed in their report, in consequence of that despatch.
With reference to paragraph 15 of your despatch, I have to request that you will state more fully the nature of your proposals regarding the steps leading to the upper town, and I have to add that, if necessary, a Royal Engineer officer will be sent out to confer with you upon this point.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
No. 161.
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
Governor Janisch to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received June 7.)
(Confidential.) Sir,
St. Helena, May 18, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to report that on the receipt of your Circular despatch marked Secret," I conferred with Colonel Philips as to the precautions which should be taken in the event of any outbreak of war.
2. On the supposition that any attack would probably not be a serious attempt by a large force to capture the island, but that the danger to be guarded against is that of a small squadron or a single cruizer endeavouring to cut out merchant ships from the harbour, or to destroy public or private property on shore, or to levy contributions, the only part of the island exposed to an attack of this nature would be James' Town, and the harbour in front of it.
3. This part of the island is well defended by the guns mounted at Ladder Hill, Rupert's, and Munden's, which would afford protection against any small squadron or single unarmoured cruizer, and measures have been taken to ensure that the batteries shall be always ready to meet any attempt at surprise.
4. The stores of coal both of the Commissariat and of private individuals are deposited on the wharf near the landing place, but the coal yards are completely under the commanding fire of Ladder Hill and Munden's, and could not be approached so long as the garrison held possession of those strong forts.
5. An armoured cruizer might bombard the town or destroy the shipping in harbour with comparative impunity, but even in that case any attempt to land or to obtain supplies of coal could be effectually resisted, and I need hardly say that they would not succeed in obtaining supplies by any threats of destruction to the town. If, however, the two 9-inch guns which were approved of some time since, but which have never yet been supplied, were placed as proposed at Munden's point, it would add in a material degree to the safety
any kind. both of the harbour and of the whole of the lee shore from attack of
6. Colonel Philips informs me that he has called special attention to the very reduced strength of the present garrison, and particularly to the fact, that of the battery of artillery stationed here in time of peace the half of the men were detached to the Cape of Good Hope on the outbreak of the Kaffire, and that it is important now the battery should, at least, be brought up again to its full complement of men without delay.
7. As the services of the militia would not be essential except in anticipation of a probable attempt to capture the island, I have not felt myself warranted in enrolling them without your special instructions to incur the expense which that measure would entail.
8. On this subject I have to state that in former wars the regular garrison amounted to over 1,200 men, and in the last war, in 1854, there was a complete regiment in addition to the artillery. It has never, therefore, been necessary to embody the local forces. They
• No. 68 of Miscellaneous, 35 E.
77
were enrolled, subjected to a drill of a month or six weeks, and afterwards to a monthly drill day. They were also turned out on all occasions of "general alarm" as for a drill day, and remained under arms until dismissed.
9. It is provided by Ordinance that if at any time the corps should be called out for permanent duty, in case of invasion, threatened or actual, they shall be entitled “to the same pay and allowances as Her Majesty's militia forces in England when drawn out and
embodied."
10. In consequence of the great reduction in the garrison, and the rapidity and suddenness with which steamers can in these days approach the shore from any direction, it becomes more necessary than ever that the local forces should be speedily available at any instant during a war. I believe, however, that as their habitations are not far from the positions at which they would be required to assemble on any alarm, it would not be necessary to embody them during a war except under very threatening circumstances, or except any case in a prolonged war, in which it might be thought desirable to embody a portion of the corps for the purpose of relieving a weak garrison in the guarding of some of the outposts.
11. With these exceptions it would not be necessary to do more than to provide for the enrolling, clothing, and drilling of the corps, which would be attended by an expense roughly estimated as follows:-
Uniform, &c., for 360 men
Drill for 30 days at la. each, and a ration, value la.
Adjutant and quarter-master, at 48. a day
Man in charge of arma, at 24. a day Contingencies
•
て
The annual expense afterwards being :--
Twelve days' drill at le. each man for rations Adjutant and man in charge of arme Contingencies
:::::
:::
:::::
:::
:::*:
:::
:::::
:::
720
1,080 72
86
50
1,968
&
216
108
50
874
12. Looking to the importance of the island as an Imperial fortress in time of war, the militia may be regarded as a substitute at a comparatively small cost for the otherwise necessary employment of a certain number of regular troops, and, therefore, if it should. be thought expedient to enrol the corps at any time, I would respectfully submit whether in the peculiar circumstances of the island, the cost of clothing and drilling might not be supplied from Imperial funds.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HUDSON R. JANISCH.
No. 162.
Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B., to Colonial Office.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
Committee Room, Whitehall, June 7, 1878.
I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee, with reference to your letter of the 31st May, to forward to you a report in which the Committee have dealt with some of the principles which apply to the Colonies in general, together with a special report on Cape
Town.
The Committee have thought it desirable not to defer sending this report, which even as regards the Cape is incomplete, in consequence of the undecided condition of some of the points necessary to form a conclusion, as some time will elapse before they will be able to report on the other Colonies.
(Signed)
I have, &c.
ALEX. MILNE, President.
• No. 140.
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