Third Report, p. 101.
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Committee concur generally in the recommendations of the War Office, and we see no reason to modify the opinions expressed in our Report on the defence of the Cape Peninsula.
Port Elizabeth.
16. The Committee advocate the defence of Port Elizabeth, and state their belief that, if the Imperial Government would assist the Colony by providing the armament, the Colony would undertake the construction of the necessary works and provide a garrison.
Looking to the large expenditure which we have recommended at the Cape of Good Hope, and the greater security which will thereby be given to trade, we are not prepared at present to recommend any Imperial outlay on Port Elizabeth.
First Report, para. 116,
Second Report, Appendix
No. 1.
Third Report, Appendix No. 7.
Second Report, Appendix No. 1.
Third Report, p. 132. Colonial Office List.
Third Report, p. 110.
War Office Returns.
Third Report, pp. 131-135.
II. THE VARIOUS ROUTES ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN.
17. The Indian Ocean, comprising 120° of longitude and 68° of latitude, is traversed in various directions by British commerce, of the aggregate annual value of 190,183,000Z.
18. The only foreign maritime Powers which have possessions on this ocean are France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Portugal. France has Réunion; Ste. Marie de Madagascar, Nossibé, and Mayotte, in the Mozambique Channel; Obock, and other places near the entrance of the Red Sea, and Settlements in India. The Netherlands has possessions in Sumatra, Java, and other adjacent islands. Italy has Assab in the Red Sea. Portugal has possessions in India, and on the eastern coast of Africa. Other Powers on the Indian Ocean possess as yet no harbours of commercial importance.
19. Leaving Great Britain out of consideration France is the most formid- able Power in the Indian Ocean. The Islands of Ste. Marie de Madagascar, of Nossibé, and of Mayotte are reported to possess commodious and safe anchorages. At Obock, on the opposite coast to Aden, the anchorage is good, and coal is reported to be found in the neighbourhood. France has also three other Settlements in the Red Sea, viz., the Island of Dessi, at the entrance to Annesley Bay; Ad, on the Danakil coast; and the Peninsula of Sheikh Saïd, opposite Perim; but as yet no works have been undertaken at any of these places. The chief French station is Réunion, where, although there are no natural harbours, this want is being supplied by artificial harbour works, estimated to cost 3,000,0001. A large garrison is maintained in the island.
Mauritius.
20. Mauritius is only 115 miles from Réunion, and under any circum- stances Great Britain must maintain a firm hold of this important position. Previous to the capture of the island in 1810, French ships inflicted on British commerce a loss estimated at 4,000,000l. The Colony has a trade of the annual value of 6,000,0007., and a public revenue exceeding 700,0001. annually. In the contingency of the Suez Canal being closed, Mauritius may be of great value as a port of call, being on the direct line between the Cape of Good Hope and Ceylon, and dividing the distance (4,440 miles) between them in nearly equal portions. In the winter of 1879-80 five transports, carrying troops from South Africa to India, stopped there within the space of four months to procure coal and fresh provisions.
21. Port Louis is a safe and commodious harbour, with three graving- docks. The present condition of the defences is very imperfect, and no defences exist in other parts of the island. The strength of the existing garrison is 460 men of all arms. We are of opinion that measures should be taken, without loss of time, to place Port Louis in a better state of defence.
22. The War Office consider, as stated in their Memorandum, that it is only necessary to secure the capital and principal harbour against the attack of a small hostile squadron, and propose to concentrate the defence about Port Louis; to improve existing and erect additional works, both on the sea and land side; and to omit all permanent defences at other parts of
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