CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 22

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. January 4, 1888.

Page 22

CONFIDENTIAL.

13

Report of Local Committee.

ANTIGUA.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have considered the Report of the Local Committee of Antigua. There appears to be no available resources for the organization of any measures of efficient local defence for the Leeward Islands.

A Yeomanry cavalry is at present maintained in Antigua, numbering seven officers and twenty-nine non-commissioned officers and men; but to supplement this force in time of emergency, it is estimated that only fifty men could be obtained.

It may be desirable on general grounds that the Yeomanry should be main- tained, and the Colonial Defence Committee recommend that, to give some semblance of reality to the force, it should be converted into Mounted Rifles, as they have already suggested in the case of the cavalry and horse artillery at St. Kitts.

G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,

(Signed)

January 2, 1888.

Colonial Defence Committee.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY 7. KARBISON,——

-4/1/88.

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Page 23 Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. March 3, 1888. Page 23 of 425

CONFIDENTIAL.

12-R

Report of Local Defence Committee.

BRITISH HONDURAS.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have carefully considered the Report drawn up by the local Committee of British Honduras.

They consider that it should be clearly understood that the Imperial Government, while providing naval protection for the West Indian Colonies in general, cannot undertake the cost of local defences in British Honduras. It is, nevertheless, highly desirable, in the interests of the Colony, that some measure of local defence should be possible, so that property should not be at the mercy of any small unarmoured vessel which might visit the port of Belize, or of a raid of Indians from the frontier.

Under these circumstances, the Colonial Defence Committee consider that every encouragement should be given to the formation of a volunteer force as proposed by the Committee, and that arms and accoutrements for 100 men should be given to the Colony, on the undertaking that the force will be raised and maintained in an efficient state. They further suggest that, on the withdrawal of the remaining company of West Indian troops, which is to take place on the 31st March, 1888, the light guns, with their ammunition, at present in the Colony, should be handed over to the local Government, on the understanding that they will be properly cared for, and that a certain number of men, police or volunteers, will be trained in their use.

With regard to the scheme furnished by the local Committee, the Colonial Defence Committee desire to draw attention to the following points, which should be brought to the notice of the Governor, with a view to the preparation of an amended scheme, as soon as the organization of the police is complete :-

In

1. The local Committee appear to have confined their attention to Belize, and to have neglected to consider any plan of action against an attack or raid from the land frontier. The object in view in calling for these schemes of defence was to secure that, in each Colony where any resistance to an enemy was possible, there should be a carefully prepared plan of action, detailing all the measures which could be taken with existing resources, and providing against panic, confusion, and delay in the event of war. British Honduras the measures which could thus be undertaken are doubtless small, but it is none the less necessary that they should be clearly thought out and provided for in advance. The Colonial Defence Committee con- sider, therefore, that the local scheme should be amended in the above sense, and that the protection of the land frontier, with existing resources, should not be left out of sight. All questions relating to further developments of the defence, such as permanent works, or the need of new stores or armaments, should be dealt with separately.

2. The local Committee should consider the practicability of employing native allies for frontier defence.

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