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a rearrangement might not be made of at least some of them, as time and means to remove their contents might not be available at the commencement of hostilities.
14. The portion of the Scheme at p. 8, which treats of the Submarine Mining Defence, discloses serious deficiencies both in personnel and plant. Some means should be found to supply these deficiencies, so as to permit of regular periodical practice, which is essential if this service is to be carried out with proper rapidity.
15. Page 12. Floating Defences.-Hopper barges should not be included in the scheme of floating defences. To mount a gun on one of them would be nothing more than a makeshift arrangement, and it is difficult to understand how they could be used against a sudden cruiser attack,-whereas, if mounted on shore, the guns might be of use to oppose a landing.
16. With regard to the three phases of mobilization, the Committee invite attention to paragraph 4 of their Remarks of August 1893. Two phases should apparently suffice, viz., one of preparation, one of imminence of attack. The dispatch of the reinforcements to Thursday Island should take place at the earliest stage of the preparation phase.
17. As before stated, the Scheme requires to be considerably amplified. Many points, such as supply, transport, issue of ammunition and stores, which are capable to a very great extent of being worked out beforehand, have received only very scanty treatment.
(Signed) W. PEACOCKE, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
November 21, 1894.
Fe 269 of 425
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY 7, HARRISON.— -21/11/94.
عيد.
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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. S Page 270 of 425
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