CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 139

4

Page 139

this transport is to be obtained, some general remarks are made as to the capabilities of the town of Halifax in this respect. The actual steps to be taken by the Assistant Adjutant-General (B) to effect the necessary redistribution of personnel and material are not touched. There is also no mention made of the steps to be taken to provide the transport required by the Royal Engineer and Medical portions of the Scheme.

It is presumed that the steam-ferries mentioned in Part II, D, in Modes of meeting various attacks are owned by private Companies. If so, any arrangements necessary for placing them at the disposal of the General Officer Commanding should be recorded.

13. An establishment of the transport to be raised for duty in the fortress and with the field force is laid down on p. 37. This appears to have been calculated on the assumption that Halifax is exposed, immediately on the outbreak of war, to the risk of siege or investment.

It is hardly conceivable that it would be necessary to organize a Head- quarter Transport Company, with a carrying capacity of, apparently, some 100 tons. The duty of distributing the ordinary supplies to the War Garrison of Halifax, so long as the place was in no imminent danger of investment, could be carried out with a more modest establishment. Some such arrange- ment as that proposed in the Scheme might possibly be required in the event of a siege becoming probable, but, if so, the preparations for this purpose should be kept distinct from those to be taken under the ordinary condition of affairs.

14. The whole of the arrangements with regard to supply also appear to be based upon the supposition that a siege is imminent. It is evidently unnecessary, so long as communications with the interior are uninterrupted, and as long as the supply of the civil population is thus assured, to establish the extensive depôts proposed on pp. 44 and 45, or to provide for the civil population.

.

The action to be taken by the Assistant Adjutant-General (B) should be reconsidered, and the actual steps in regard to supply to be taken by that officer should be laid down in detail. Even the Scheme as it stands cannot be said to have been worked out with sufficient accuracy. Thus, the contents of the various depôts are stated in such vague terms as one month's supply of cattle," "two months' fuel," &c., without stating for what number of men these supplies are required. The important point of ascertaining the capabilities of the surrounding country is left until war is imminent (p. 47, paragraph 1). There is nothing to show that the quantities of supplies to be distributed under paragraph 6, p. 47, have been worked out; nor that the selection of storage accommodation (paragraphs 8 and 9) has been made. It is stated on p. 30 that an emergency ration is to be issued, but there is nothing said as to this in the Scheme of the Assistant Adjutant-General (B).

In calculating the local supplies available it should be borne in mind that the requirements of Her Majesty's navy will have to be met at the same time; and a safe margin should be left to meet their possible wants.

15. The action to be taken by the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery might be rendered more complete. For example, it seems probable that the first steps to be taken in connection with the organization of the mobile battery for the field force will devolve upon him, since it is stated on p. 92 that he is responsible for drawing the necessary equipment; and if this is the case, there should be some mention of the fact in this section of the Scheme. From the orders on p. 30 it is clear that, as an officer commanding a corps, the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery is responsible that certain stores are drawn on mobilization; this should also be dealt with under the heading of action to be taken by the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery.

The natures of the guns to be manned might be added with advantage to Table (A) on p. 49.

Mention is made on p. 49 of two large lighters to be armed with 64-pr. guns. It should be made clear whether the Royal Artillery are responsible for fitting up these vessels. If so, the details should be here given.

16. The Royal Engineer Scheme has been very well worked out, and the works which are to be undertaken may now be looked upon as finally settled. The details of the work to be done at Kearney's Lake, &c., on p. 7, and of breastwork at Herring Cove, at p. 8, are referred to as given in the Royal

Page 139

Page 139