CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 224

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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. June 1894.

CONFIDENTIAL.

83-R

ST. HELENA.

ST. HELENA.

No. 11.

Scheme of Defence, revised to September 1894.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THIS Scheme has now been brought together in a collective form, and reduced to proper shape. Subject to the following remarks, it may be considered to satisfactorily meet the requirements of the case :-

1. At present the defence depends largely on an extemporized force of 200 men, to be raised among the inhabitants on declaration of war.

In existing circumstances the arrangement proposed appears to be all that can be done. It cannot be regarded as satisfactory, and it is hoped that, in consequence of the decided opinion lately given by the Admiralty, that the island is to continue to be defended as a naval station, a more adequate garrison may shortly be allotted to it. In a separate paper addressed to Her Majesty's Government, the Colonial Defence Committee have strongly advocated an early settlement of this question, but, meanwhile, all the requisite measures for raising and equipping this extemporized force should be made and given in the Scheme as a guide to the officers who, if the occasion arose, would be charged with this duty.

2. The Colonial Defence Committee have lately had before them the Report of the Local Joint Naval and Military Committee of St. Helena, and have furnished their recommendations with regard to it direct to the War Office. They are not therefore in a position to further allude, in the present paper, to the particular subjects therein dealt with. When the final joint decision of the Admiralty and War Office is received, the necessary altera- tions should be made in the Scheme.

3. Action by C.R.A.-Under this heading, the manning details of both fixed and movable armament should be given.

4. With regard to (C), page 20, and (G), page 22, the various issues to be made should be given in detail, the additional equipment required for the Base Hospital being included in them. The Table on page 27 should show the amount of Camp Equipment available. The figures in the last column of this Table (Transport) require explanation.

The Table of Supplies on page 25 should show how the militia are to be rationed.

5. With regard to the action by C.R.E., page 21, it will be advisable to draw up a Table showing the labour, materials, and tools required for each work, and how these can be obtained. Similar details should be given with regard to the telephone line to be constructed.

6. The Medical portion of the Scheme, page 21, should show the surgical equipment and medical comforts required for the various dressing- stations to be established.

7. The Orders to Corps on page 31 should be given in detail; at present the headings only of paragraphs have been forwarded. It seems possible that special instructions may be required by the O.C., Jamestown Defences, and the O.C., Field Force. If this be so, these instructions should be prepared, and placed in the Scheme.

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