the inconvenience experienced during the annual manning of the defences was really due to the want of funds, and would not arise in the event of emergency. The preparation of a schedule of water transport, as mentioned in section 2 above, would serve to bring out the war requirements in this respect.
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8. The Local Committee (p. 9) draw attention to the desirability of studying the question of a possible landing of a force of "400 to 500 with field-guns on the beach to the east of Tanjong Katong. This question might well be considered, although, as pointed out in their Memorandum of the 1st February, 1889, little compensating advantage for the risks of landing men would be attained by the capture of this portion of the position.
The Colonial Defence Committee recommend that a copy of these remarks should be forwarded to the Governor, and considered by the Local Committee at the revision of the Scheme in September next.
As regards the general question of the defence of the Straits Settlements, they desire to emphasize the view stated in their Memorandum of the 1st February, 1889. The protection of Singapore from land attack necessarily depends upon Her Majesty's navy. So long as an adequate strength is main- tained in the China Seas, the risks of moving any considerable expeditionary force from Saigon, Tonquin, or Vladivostock are too great to be accepted by an enemy. Although the French are stated to be about to fortify their positions in Cochin China and Tonquin, those risks would not thus be diminished. Nor does the force of white troops at present maintained at Saigon and Haiphong appear sufficient to furnish the materials for a powerful expedition, and at the same time protect the territories in question. In any case, however, the prevention of the transporting and landing on British territory of such an expedition would depend upon the maintenance of a sufficient naval force in these waters.
(Signed) G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee
February 29, 1892.
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