CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 183

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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. December 19, 1893.

CONFIDENTIAL.

7/2-R

MALTA.

MALTA. 5.

2538.

Defence Scheme, revised to January 1893.

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Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have had before them the Defence Scheme of Malta as revised to January 1893. The Scheme has been printed in the form recommended by the Committee in their Circular No. 46 of the 3rd May, 1893, so far as it has been found possible to recast it. At the next revision the Scheme should be further developed on the lines indicated in that Circular, and, assuming this to be done, the following remarks are offered :-

કર

1. In their remarks of August 1892 the Colonial Defence Committee laid down that "the necessity for defending Malta against an attack in force is unquestionable," and that "Malta must at all times be prepared to resist an attempted coup de main by a powerful squadron accompanied by transports conveying a land force," the probable strength of which might be 20,000 men. They pointed out that, Malta being our only naval base in the Mediterranean, a successful attack on it would be a sure method of crippling the effective action of our fleet in that sea, and that thus the importance of its capture might well be held to justify the risk of the attempt.

The Committee can see no reason at the present time for altering that view, and they are of opinion that only an overwhelming preponderance of British naval strength over any possible hostile combination could be considered to place the contingency of such an attack beyond the sphere of reasonable probability. Whether we do or do not possess a sufficient preponderance of naval strength in Mediterranean waters the Committee cannot profitably discuss. But if we do not possess it, or if the contending naval forces are evenly matched, the possibility of an attempted coup de main on Malta becomes, in their opinion, distinctly reasonable, more especially if it were to be under- stood that the garrison and defences of the island were in an inadequate state of preparation to meet it.

2. Page 6. Strategical Considerations.-The principal methods of attack to which the fortress is liable are correctly and elearly stated, and there is little room for criticism. The statement discloses the fact that, with ordinary precautions, an attack constitutes no serious menace unless it comprises a landing in force.

The first and third natures of attack are, it may be assumed, to a great extent provided against by the present powerful armament of the sea-front.

* Forwarded to General Officer Commanding troops, Malta, in War Office letter, Gen. No. 5/9315, of the 21st June, 1893.

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