CO885-5 — Page 559

COLONIAL GARRISONS

(SIERRA LEONE ST. HELENA).

1

DOWNING STREET,

21st January, 1889,

I

War Office

Confidential

Jan. 21, 1889

Inquiring what steps have been taken to provide garrisons for Sierra Leone and St. Helena, in time of Peace ..

23,538.

No. 1.

1

Colonial Office to War Office.

2

War Office

Confidential

Mar. 14, 1889 Transmitting copies of Minutes embodying the decision of Her Majesty's Government on the question of garrisons for Sierra Leone and St. Helena, and a table showing the garrisons provided for the Colonies in this year's estimates

(Confidential.)

SIR,

2

3

To Admiralty

April 2, 1889

Pointing out the difficulties which attach to the undertaking given by the Admiralty to convey garrisons to Sierra Leone and St. Helena, in the event of

war

4

4

To War Office ..

April 2, 1889

Enclosing copy of a letter to the Admiralty, conveying observa- tions which Lord Knutsford has thought it right to put upon record, respecting the provision of war garrisons for Sierra Leone and St. Helena ..

5

Admiralty

Confidential April 26, 1889 Observing that the Admiralty

6

To War Office

May 1, 1889

merely engaged to provide transport for the garrison selected for St. Helena, and that no question was raised of providing a garrison for Sierra

Leone

Pointing out the divergence which exists between the, views of the Admiralty and the War Office, as to the provision of a garrison for Sierra Leone in time of war, and observing that Lord Knutsford can now only leave the matter in Mr. Stanhope's hands

Confidential May 10, 1889 Enclosing a letter to be substituted

7

Admiralty

5

5

5

8

To War Office ..

Confidential May 16, 1889

for Admiralty letter of 26th April

Enclosing copy of a revised version of the Admiralty letter of 26th April, and observing that Lord Knutsford does not desire to make any further remarks upon the measures which have been agreed to by the two Depart-

6

ments

--

··

7

9

To Admiralty

Confidential May 16, 1889

Enclosing copy of a letter to the War Office on the subject of the revised Admiralty letter of of 26th April

..

8

With reference to your letter of the 27th of November last,* to which a reply has this day been sent to you, on the subject of the future garrison of St. Helena, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to observe that your letter states that the Cabinet have decided that in time of peace no regular garrison is to be kept in that island.

Lord Knutsford has received no information on this point later than that contained in your letter of the 5th April, 1888,* in which it was apparently assumed that the proposals of the Colonial Defence Committee, as set forth in their Memorandum, No. 31, of 6th December, 1887, would be accepted as a provisional basis for fixing the garrisons to be maintained in certain Colonies, among them being Sierra Leone and St Helena. If any subsequent decision has been arrived at, his Lordship would be glad to be formally placed in possession of it.

His Lordship attaches particular importance to the provision of an adequate garrison at Freetown, Sierra Leone, with respect to which the Colonial Defence Committee pointed out, in the memorandum above referred to, that "a large French force is permanently maintained in Senegal, the greater portion of which is concentrated at St. Louis; telegraphic communication with France exists and there is usually sufficient shipping available at Dakar, to which port a railway will shortly be completed, so that

a

considerable expedition could be landed close to Sierra Leone within two days of a declaration of war." The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have moreover stated with regard to Sierra Leone, in a letter to this department, of the 14th of December, 1887,† copy of which was sent to the War Office by this department on the 4th January, 1888, that the loss or destruction of this coaling station might for the time being paralyse the efforts of the Navy to protect this important trade route in the region where it is most liable to attack and can be most readily injured by the French."

*

In view of these strong expressions of opinion as regards Sierra Leone, and the importance of the question as regards St. Helena, Lord Knutsford would be glad to be informed what steps it has been decided to take to meet the special dangers pointed out, and generally what final decision has been arrived at in regard to the provision of garrisons in other coaling stations dealt with by the Colonial Defence Committee by direction of the Secretary of State for War.

I am, &c.,

The Under-Secretary of State, War Office.

R. H. MEADE.

• Not printed.

+ No. 1 in African No. 353.

(3059)

A 2

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885/

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

483.-Secret.

(Confidential.)

SIR,

2

No 2.

War Office to Colonial Office.

WAR OFFICE,

14th March, 1889.

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 21st, 1889, in which you stated that Lord Knutsford would be glad to be informed of any Cabinet decision on the question of garrisons for our coaling stations abroad, which might have been taken subsequent to the letter from the War Office on the subject, dated April 5th,

1888.t

In reply I am to enclose for Lord Knutsford's information copies of Mr. Stanhope's minutes of August 9th, and November 28th, 1888+, which embody the decisions of Her Majesty's Government with reference to all the coaling stations except the Cape, and also a table showing, so far as regular forces are concerned, the garrisons provided for in this year's Army Estimates for the various Colonies, as compared with the garrisons recommended for war.

I have, &c.,

The Under-Secretary of State

RALPH THOMPSON.

for the Colonies.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2.

Colonial Garrisons.

Her Majesty's Government have come to the following decisions as to the proposed garrisons, subject to the opinion of the Treasury on certain financial questions:

1. At Sierra Leone and St. Helena, the white men retained there to be limited to the number required as caretakers, in order to ensure proper care being taken of the guns. It is suggested that this number would be from 12 to 20 Artillerymen, with a Master Gunner in each case; and that they should be supplied by volunteers called for from the Royal Artillery and Royal Marine Artillery. The Infantry to be withdrawn. An arrangement to be made with the Admiralty for a ship to proceed immediately on a state of emergency arising which requires it, with reinforcements previously agreed on. At Sierra Leone, 100 Houssas to be raised, and some provision for inspection of armaments must be made.

At St. Helena, there must be also, say, six men of the Royal Engineers, and, as no white Infantry are to be retained there, an Officer will be required to command the forces.

Ascension to be supplied with two 6-inch B.L. guns with barbette mount ings. The War Office to have no further responsibility for it.

2. As regards Jamaica and St. Lucia, it is decided that for the present

the one white battalion to be kept in the West Indies be divided between the

two islands, and maintained at war strength.

3. The Admiralty undertake all responsibility for such small white garrisons

as may be necessary for Esquimalt, King George's Sound, and Torres Straits, on repayment by Colonies.

4. The garrisons at Hong Kong and Singapore to be kept at war strength,

but the question of providing the second battalion of British troops for the former stands over for further enquiry as to the possibility of substituting an Indian battalion.

5. Looking to all the present circumstances of the case, it is decided that half a battalion of British troops at the Mauritius will suffice.

E. S.

8th August, 1888.

* No. 1.

+ Not printed.