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infantry of the sub-section. This is inadvisable. In the case of the home ports, General Officers Commanding have been expressly warned against this separation of the arms, and it should be made clear on revision that each sub-section Commandant is to command all the troops in his sub-section.

3. Distribution of Garrison.-In the absence of the manning details, which it is understood from (D), p. 26, have been prepared, it is impossible to ascertain how the numbers told off for manning the fixed armament have been determined. They appear to be unduly large, unless more than one relief has been provided for. In case this should be so, it is to be pointed out that the approved establishment of all garrisons only provides for one relief and a small reserve for fixed armament, and if in the present case this customary basis has been exceeded, a considerable number of infantry could be set free from these gun detachments.

With the ad interim garrison, the utility of manning one of the 9-inch howitzers at the Morne, as proposed at p. 18, is questionable, as a useful effect can be expected only from a group of such high-angle fire guns. the circumstances, it would seem preferable to utilize the 15 gunners and infantry told off to it either to man the third gun at Vigie or for the movable armament.

It is noticed that in Table, p. 49, these 15 men are shown as 64 men, and there are certain minor discrepancies between that Table and those at pp. 19 and 50, which should receive attention at revision.

4. In Tables, pp. 44, 49, the balance of the weak companies of the West India Regiment, amounting to some 90 men, at present at Jamaica, are counted in the available fighting strength. It is not apparent how they are to be transported to St. Lucia.

5. The arrangements for obtaining intelligence are inadequately dealt with. Full details should be given regarding the signal stations to be furnished and equipped at points on the coast to obtain news of the approach of hostile vessels, and of the means for the immediate transmission of their intelligence to head-quarters. It should also be shown how the outposts detailed to watch probable landing-places are to be furnished, and how they are to report. Some definite alarm-signal should be arranged for mobilization in case of sudden attack.

6. The advanced positions at Choc River and elsewhere should be carefully selected, so as to make the best use of the force available, and, if possible, they should be strengthened by obstacles and the foreground cleared. It may also be possible by means of obstacles and by scarping steep hill paths to close some of the avenues of approach to the Morne. The details of all such work should be given in the Royal Engineers' portion of the Scheme.

Little or no information is given regarding the position to be taken up north of the Cul de Sac River to meet an advance from the south.

7. In the case of a landing at Gros Islets, considered at p. 21, only two companies (175 meu) are detailed for the first serious stand at the Choc River position.

According to Table, p. 19, in addition to the third company of the movable force in reserve at the Morne, at least 224 men of the general infantry defence (c) are also available to form a reserve, but the whole of these, some 320 men, are 2 to 3 miles distant. As by the hypothesis the land advance is the only attack on hand, after providing for the manning of the forts, it would appear to be worthy of consideration whether the whole of the movable force, viz., three companies, might not be employed in holding the Choc position, and only the general infantry defence force, viz., 224 men, kept in reserve.

8. It is desirable to add a statement of hired civil labour required for auxiliary purposes. That required in connection with transport is given at p. 52, but labour will also be required for Royal Engineers' work, hospital service, Supply and Ordnance Store Departments, and to reduce as much as possible the number of men taken from the ranks for fatigue duty.

9. No mention is made of how the supply of ammunition, actually on the spot in St. Lucia, stands.

10. Under the heading of Communications or Royal Engineers' work, some consideration should be given to the safety of the submarine cables, and whether their shore ends require to be shifted or any special protection.

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