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(b.) That much labour would be involved in removing stores, taking down buildings, &c.

(c.) That the enemy would be able to annoy the garrison with small-arm fire from the North Front, and could obtain shelter while so doing behind the débris of destroyed buildings.

(d.) That the moral effect of the abandonment would be bad.

The Colonial Defence Committee concur in these reasons, especially in (a) and (d), and they recommend that the change proposed by the Governor be approved.

4. The occupation of Linea is urged on the grounds that-

(a.) It would put a stop to the rifle and machine-gun fire by which an enemy could "seriously harass the whole town by showering bullets upon it at all times."

(b.) It would greatly hamper any attempt of the enemy to establish land- batteries.

(c.) It would much facilitate any subsequent advance which might be determined on, with the aid of reinforcements from England, for the occupation of the Sierra Carbonera.

(d.) It would greatly relieve the troops, and largely save the health of all within the Fortress.

The capture of Linea involves a direct violation of Spanish territory. This consideration may, however, be neglected in view of the assumption that a siege is impossible unless Spain is hostile to us.

It appears to the Colonial Defence Committee that Linea would be a most unsatisfactory position to hold in the presence of an enemy established on the Sierra Carbonera. They understand that the Governor has submitted a scheme to the War Office for occupying the Sierra. This proposal, which would involve a large increase in the garrison of Gibraltar, is, however, not before the Committee. As regards the smaller scheme for the occupation of Linea, they see no objection, should circumstances at the time appear to render it desirable, to the taking of the village for the purpose of destroying it, or of holding it as an outpost during the early stages of an attack. They are, how- ever, unable to concur in the statement that the occupation of Linea is essential to the proper defence of Gibraltar.

5. With regard to (iii)-the alteration of the Scheme so as not to interfere with the ordinary methods of obtaining labour, forage, and supplies-the grounds on which this change is advocated are that it would relieve the Fortress authorities of the care and guarding of transport animals, forage, and food, and of the necessity for organizing a system for distributing supplies to the inhabitants.

The Colonial Defence Committee concur in the desirability of the proposed change.

Defence Scheme.

Chapter I.

6. The Colonial Defence Committee concur generally in the views expressed in this Chapter as to the general strategical conditions, except as regards the occupation of Linea, already dealt with. They have discussed the important question of the disposal of the hulks in time of war in a separate Memorandum.

Chapter II.

7. Under the heading "The Divisions of Command" the Fortress is divided into districts, and the districts into sections. The division generally adopted in Schemes of Defence is into sections and sub-sections, and it would

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