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16

Inclosure in No. 33.

Extract from the Annual Confidential Report of General Sir C. T. Van Straubenzee, dated Malta, January 3, 1878.

MILITIA FOR MALTA.

I HAVE almost every year since I assumed this Government expressed my opinion that at least from 10,000 to 12,000 men will be required for its defence against a powerful attack, and that the Imperial Government would not at such a time be able to afford that number of valuable troops to be shut up in this island.

To meet this want I submitted a plan to organize four battalions of militia, as the foundation of a larger force, which I regret to say did not meet with support from the War Office.

I then presented a very modified scheme, which met with the same fate.

I would now urge the adoption of my first scheme, as that likely to give most quickly the number of men (4,000) required to complete the garrison to 12,000 men.

In carrying out the scheme there would probably be much opposition to encounter, which I am satisfied could have easily in time been overcome, and its success would in a few years enable the General Commanding to have in time of need several thousands of able-bodied Maltese under control and available for ordinary duties in defence of their island and our flag.

Since writing the foregoing I have had conversations with influential Maltese, who appear to think that men would willingly come forward in the large towns to enrol themselves the more so if the Commanders were English officers of standing, supple- mented by those from the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery.

(Confidential.)

No. 34.

Colonial Office to War Office.

Downing Street, April 10, 1878.

Sir,

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to request that you will inform the Secretary of State for War that it appears from a telegram received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements* that there is at present in Singapore about 70,000 tons of coal undefended. The Governor has been instructed to consult with the naval and military officers on the station as to the defensive measures which he could immediately take in case of necessity, and the circumstances have been communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with a view to their dispatching, if possible, such addi- tional ship or ships as they may consider requisite for the protection of this important station.

I am to transmit to you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Stanley, a copy of a Secret and Confidential letter from the Colonial Defence Committee,† and Sir Michael Hicks Beach trusts that all haste may be made to prepare and transmit the plans of works for mounting the guns which it is proposed to send out, and that directions may be given for their speedy execution; and he desires me to request that you will express to Mr. Stanley his hope that these works will be so laid out and constructed as to be capable of easy conversion into batteries of a more lasting description, with a view to their future utiliza- tion as part of Sir W. Jervois' scheme for the permanent defence of the station, which Sir Michael Hicks Beach understands is only postponed pending temporary measures to meet an emergency.

A further letter will be addressed to you as to the manner in which the requisite funds can be provided.

I

am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

* No. 21.

↑ No. 25.

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