CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 14

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. December 23, 1887.

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CONFIDENTIAL.

3 R

Report of Local Committee.

DOMINICA.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have carefully considered the Report furnished by the local Committee at Dominica. From this it appears that the island is not in a position to furnish any materials for local defence, and that the general feeling of the population would not be against a French occupation.

Under these circumstances, the Colonial Defence Committee are of opinion that such encouragement as the Imperial Government could offer to the forma- tion of a local force would meet with no practical response. They do not con- sider that it would be desirable that the island "should be strongly garrisoned by British troops at the outset of any war," as suggested by the local Committee. The defence of Dominica must be left to Her Majesty's navy. It is to be observed, however, that no great military object could be obtained by a French occupation, certainly not an object sufficiently great to justify naval risks in effecting it, and that the ultimate possession of the island would be determined by the general issue of the war.

December 22, 1887.

(Signed)

G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

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CONFIDENTIAL.

[N° 4.R

Report of Local Committee.

NATAL.

[Co. 12621/87

1

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have carefully considered the Report furnished by the local Committee of Natal. This Report appears to them to have been admirably drawn up, and constitutes in many respects a model which it is desirable should be followed by other Colonies.

The Colonial Defence Committee do not desire to offer any remarks on the scheme of defence, which is sufficiently complete and detailed for present purposes. They consider, however, that the Committee should be called upon to meet again next year, by which time it is hoped that the guns ordered for the Bluff Battery will have been mounted, and measures taken with regard to torpedo defence as alluded to by the local Committee. These measures, together with the receipt of the 9-pounder field guns which have been presented by the Imperial Government, will entail certain emendations in the scheme of defence.

G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

(Signed)

December 22, 1887.

fd in

Gor. 1.6.87

1.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON.—23/12/87.

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