CO885-5 — Page 562

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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It will be seen from this letter that there is a wide divergence of opinion between the views held by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and those embodied in Mr. Stanhope's minutes of the 8th August, 1888, recording the decision of the Committee of the Cabinet which settled the steps to be taken for the due protection of the two coaling stations of Sierra Leone and St. Helena.

Putting aside the point that according to the Admiralty view no mention was made of Volunteers from the Royal Marine Artillery as caretakers, which, however, becomes of less importance as it appears from the return accompanying your letter of March 14th, that arrangements have since been made by Mr. Stanhope for supplying their place; Lord Knutsford observes that the Admiralty state that they have not agreed to any arrangement for providing "transport for the troops which will be required to garrison Sierra Leone when war is imminent." At the same time, while apparently agreeing that they have undertaken this duty in regard to St. Helena, their Lordships state that they concur in the observations contained in the 5th para. of the letter from this department, of April 2* above referred to and express their opinion that "it is not desirable to trust to the reinforcement of the garrisons at places at such a distance from England when war becomes imminent."

This divergence of opinion as to what was actually settled is probably due, as on a previous occasion, to the fact that no minute was drawn up and settled before the Committee separated; as, however, the War Office and Admiralty are primarily responsible for the military protection of these two coaling stations, Lord Knutsford can only now leave the matter in Mr. Stanhope's hands, for such further steps as he may consider desirable, and he will doubtless agree with his Lordship that no doubt should be left as to the action to be taken in a matter which is one of great Imperial importance.

I am, &c.,

The Under-Secretary of State, War Office.

No. 7.

3. SECRET.

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

SIR,

R. H. MEADE.

ADMIRALTY,

10th May, 1889.

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that the Admiralty letter of the 26th April, 1889, may be returned to this department and the enclosed letter substituted.

+

am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

EVAN MACGREGOR.

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War, the First Lord of the Admiralty and Admiral Sir Arthur Hood were present, when it was decided that the Infantry garrisons at St. Helena should be withdrawn in time of peace, only caretakers being left, and that in the event of war impending, the Admiralty would undertake to provide transport for the troops required to garrison St. Helena; no question whatever was raised as to the employment of Volunteers from the Royal Marine Artillery as caretakers.

3. At the same meeting it was decided that no white garrison, except a few caretakers was to be retained during peace time at Sierra Leone on account of its unhealthiness; a similar arrangement was made as regards St. Helena. This arrangement was deliberately arrived at after a full considera- tion of the balance of advantages or risk which would result from its adoption. 4. The Admiralty have throughout maintained in all the discussions relating to the provision of the garrisons for coaling or military stations their inability to undertake the responsibility at the outbreak of war of the safe convoy of garrisons to their respective stations. They can undertake, as the agents of the War Office, to take up and have ready the transport necessary to convey the numbers agreed upon. The decision arrived at and referred to above was made with a full knowledge of the risk which the course sanctioned involved. My Lords do not therefore feel themselves at liberty after the decision arrived at, by the Government to discuss departmentally the objections raised by the Colonial Office to the course pursued. An exchange of opinion as to the general principle upon which garrisons abroad should be maintained in stations other than those referred to in the present correspondence, is now taking place between the Admiralty and the War Office.

5. It would be very desirable, in the opinion of my Lords, that the Colonial Office should hereafter be directly represented at any meeting held at which final decisions are arrived at affecting the garrisons of Colonial Stations. A triangular correspondence, such as has ensued in the present instance, would be avoided, and each department affected by the decision would be able at once to co-operate in giving effect to it.

6. My Lords have desired the Director of Transports to ascertain from the War Office the tonnage requirements for conveyance of the garrisons for St. Helena and Sierra Leone in order that "immediately on a state of emergency arising," they may be taken to their destinations.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

3. SECRET.

(Confidential.)

SIR,

No. 8.

I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,

EVAN MACGREGOR.

Colonial Office to War Office.

DOWNING STREET,

16th May, 1889.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

SIR,

(Confidential.)

Enclosure in No. 7.

ADMIRALTY,

26th April, 1889.

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant on the subject of the provision of adequate garrisons for St. Helena and Sierra Leone.

2. My Lords desire me to state for Lord Knutsford's information that the only arrangement that has been made with the War Office, was entered into at a meeting at which the Marquis of Salisbury, the Secretary of State for

† No. 5.

• No. 3.

I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Stanhope, the accompanying copy of a letter, dated the 26th of April, which the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty wish to be substituted for the letter of the same date, relating to the garrisons of St. Helena and Sierra Leone, a copy of which was sent to the War Office with the letter from this department of the 1st instant.t

•

2. Lord Knutsford learns from this letter that the Board of Admiralty do not undertake to provide for the safe transit of the garrisons to these two coaling stations on an emergency arising, but merely to take up the amount of transport which may be necessary.

3. As it now appears that the subject was more fully discussed than His Lordship had supposed, he does not desire to make any further remarks on the measures which have been agreed to by the two Departments who are immediately responsible for the military defence of these stations.

I am, &c.,

The Under Secretary of State,

War Office.

• Enclosure in No. 7.

+ No. 6.

R. H. MEADE,

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3. SECRET.

No. 9.

Colonial Office to Admiralty.

(Confidential.)

DOWNING STREET,

SIR,

16th May, 1889.

I am directed by Lord Knutsford to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential letter of the 10th instant, enclosing a letter dated the 26th of April, to be substituted for the previous letter of that date, on the subject of the garrisons of St. Helena and Sierra Leone.

2. The previous letter is returned herewith as requested; and I am also to enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a copy of a lettert which has been addressed by Lord Knutsford's direction to the War Office with regard to the substituted letter.

I am, &c.,

R H. MEADE.

The Secretary to the Admiralty.

• No. 7.

+ No. 8.