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(1.) For protection of the forts from attack from the southward, reliance is placed as regards the 8 miles of coast on the west and south-rather on preventing a landing than on opposing from the high peaks and narrow gaps often enveloped in fog the advance of an enemy already landed; a strong second line of defence being provided on intermediate heights for occupation in the event of a landing being effected.
As regards the remaining 18 miles of coast on the south-east and east, it is impossible, owing to its distance and extent, to provide for similar defence; but a few strong natural positions have been selected inland on moderate heights more or less out of reach of the fire from ships, and within easy reach of reinforcements, where the advance of a large force which has effected a landing may be successfully opposed.
(2.) The troops are accordingly placed so as to be quickly disposed along the lower spurs within easy range of the shore of the western portion, and to man the inland positions towards the south-east, in both cases more or less below the fog level.
(3.) A system of block-houses on the intermediate spurs is proposed, so placed as to form, primarily, small fortified advanced posts giving cover and protection to scouts and signallers, and secondarily, when the forward positions are occupied by the sectional troops for opposing landings of small parties, strong posts on the lines of communication, while at the same time forming the nucleus of a strong intrenched second line. Such second line has been planned with a view to concentrate the defenders in the event of the landing force being covered by such an overwhelming fire from ships' guns as to prevent its being repelled on the coast with the limited artillery fire at the defenders' disposal.
These block-houses are placed generally below the average fog level, and will absorb for their occupation a very few men in place of the many hundreds previously assigned to the large redoubts on the heights.
(4). The howitzers, instead of being scattered singly and at the higher levels, are grouped in batteries of not less than three guns, and are placed below the fog level in positions and at an elevation best suited to command the landing-places and achorages and the sea beyond, and for firing with good effect.
(5.) The section is made the defensive unit, and the larger divisional commands are abolished, except as regards the four southern sections, which are grouped into one tactical command.
(6.) The responsibility for maintaining the personnel and matériel of the fortress at all times in a state of efficiency and readiness in, or for distribution to, the sections is made to rest in theory, as it must in practice, with com- manding officers of corps and departments-as also is the equipment and supply with ammunition and food when mobilized-instead of with commanders of divisions or sections as previously contemplated; but section commanders are enjoined to familiarize themselves with the character of the area comprised in their commands, with all the details of troops and matériel assigned to their sections, and with the objects and duties severally intrusted to them. On mobilization they will be directly responsible for at once reporting any deficiencies for maintaining the discipline and efficiency of the troops placed under them, and for the due performance of the duties laid down in the separate instructions issued to each. Section commanders are, however, intrusted with the responsibility of arranging for the accommodation of their men in quarters or tents.
(7.) The troops are assigned to sections and reserves, as far as possible, by definite units instead of by numbers; by this means extra facility is afforded for ready mobilization and for reinforcements of one section by another or from the reserves, while the reserves are kept at a fixed proportion of the whole.
(8.) The reservoirs and shore ends of telegraph cables are brought under the protection of the defences.
5. While this Scheme was being compiled I received your Excellency's letter of the 23rd August last, transmitting, for my information and for the guidance of the Local Defence Committee, a Circular (Confidential) from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 25th July, 1893, together with
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