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ADEN.

two former especially the most exposed. Of Calcutta, it may be said that the difficult approaches to it Appendix No. 4. from the sea by a dangerous tidal river, more than 100 miles in length, render it comparatively secure against a sudden attack; while it will scarcely be disputed that measures for the defence of Madras and Karachi are, in present circumstances, less required than those which are intended to secure the safety of the places to which we have just referred. Opinions may differ as to the nature of the works necessary for defending these various points of the coast of India, and as to the wisdom of incurring a large expenditure in fortifying them; but it will not, we think, be contested that there is one portion of the Committee's Reports to which we are even now justified in calling your Lordship's immediate attention. The necessity for strengthening the defences of Aden has, as we have mentioned above, been long admitted, and there are, at the present time, circumstances of a political character connected with the Red Sea, and the proceedings of foreign nations in that part of the world, which seem to us to add additional weight to the reasons which have been formerly urged in favour of giving greater security to Aden against hostile attacks than the present defences of that place afford. We are therefore of opinion that steps should be taken without delay for that purpose upon the general lines proposed by the Committee; and we are, for our part, prepared to contribute our fair share of the cost of the new work, provided Her Majesty's Government will, on their part, afford us that assistance which it has always been recognized that we are entitled to expect in consequence of the general political interests which are involved in the safety of Aden.

9. If your Lordship in Council should concur in these views, we shall be prepared to submit to you detailed proposals for the execution of the works, and to state the proportion in which, in our judgment, the cost of their erection should be divided between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of India.

10. We desire to express our sense of the care and ability with which the President and members of the Defence Committee have discharged the duties entrusted to them, and of the valuable assistance rendered to them by the Secretary, Major W. H. Pierson, R.E., through whose untimely death, from illness contracted during the Waziri Expedition, the service has lost an officer of remarkable intelligence and zeal.

Inclosure 3 in No. 50.

India Office to War Office.

We have, &c.

(Signed)

RIPON.

D. M. STEWART. W. STOKES.

A. R. THOMPSON.

J. GIBBS.

E. BARING. T. F. WILSON.

India Office, October 5, 1881.

Sir,

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward, for the information of Mr. Secretary Childers, the accompanying copy of a despatch* from the Government of India, submitting a Report on the defences of the principal harbours of India, drawn up by the Special Committee appointed in 1877.

The Marquis of Hartington will be glad to be favoured with any remarks which the proposals of the Committee may suggest, and I am to make it a special request that the subject of the Aden defences may receive Mr. Childers' early attention.

The Secretary of State for War will observe that the Government of India lay great stress on the importance of making very early provision for the security of Aden, and are prepared to contribute their fair share of the cost of the new works, provided that Her Majesty's Government will, on their part, afford the assistance which the Government of India consider that they are entitled to expect, in view of the general political interests involved in the security of this possession.

Bearing in mind the position which Aden holds towards all Her Majesty's Eastern possessions outside India, and its great importance to the general commercial interests of the Empire, Lord Hartington entirely concurs in the justice of this view, and will be glad to receive from Mr. Secretary Childers the expression of his opinion as to the extent to which Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to co-operate with the Government of India in defraying the cost of the works which may be considered necessary.

Lord Hartington understands that Colonel Crossman, R.E., is at present engaged professionally in reporting for the War Office on the coast defences of the British Colonies. If during this duty he could visit Aden at a very early date, doubtless the Government would derive much benefit from the experience he would bring to the consideration of this project, and I shall be glad to learn if this can be arranged for.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

ALLEN JOHNSON, Colonel,

Military Secretary.

[1108]

* Inclosure 2.

2 N

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