CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 136

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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. May 1893.

CONFIDENTIAL.

58-P

HALIFAX.

Defence Scheme revised to January 1893.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee, having considered the Defence Scheme of Halifax, as revised to January 1893, desire to preface their remarks on the matter contained in the Scheme by a few words explanatory of how it has come to assume its present form.

1. It has been found from the experience gained in the compilation and revision of Defence Schemes that there is one general form of arrangement which is the most convenient for grouping the various matters dealt with, and in another paper, which, when approved by Her Majesty's Government, will be communicated as a Circular Memorandum to all Colonies, fortresses, and coaling-stations, the Colonial Defence Committee have explained this general form in which it seems to them desirable that all Defence Schemes should in future be cast.

In the case of Halifax, where the Scheme was well advanced, the rearrangement has been carried out here, but though the Scheme has been recast, no essential matter contained in the printed Scheme of 1891, and its revision received in General Officer Commanding's despatch of the 1st January, 1893, has been omitted with one exception; the alteration being one of arrangement rather than of matter.

Part I,

The exception alluded to is the "Strategical Considerations." Strategical Considerations, has been compiled from the remarks made by the General Officer Commanding on previous Schemes and from previous comments made by the Colonial Defence Committee. As it now stands, it need not be regarded as binding or exhaustive; it is simply intended to exemplify the sort of introductory matter that should precede a Scheme of this kind.

2. The Colonial Defence Committee offer the following remarks on the Scheme :

A study of the Scheme shows that the circumstances under which a mobilization of the defences of Halifax might, and in all probability would, take place, have not been entirely appreciated. It is quite conceivable that Halifax might be ordered to be placed in a state of defence on the outbreak of a war between Great Britain and some Great European Power, or combination of Powers; but, in such a case, it is evident that, though every precaution would need to be taken to have the defences in a thorough state of readiness, the prospect of anything approaching to a siege or investment of the place would be exceedingly remote. Even in the case of a rupture between the United States and England, the chances of a serious attempt by land against

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