CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 76

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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. November 19, 1889.

CONFIDENTIAL.

33 A

GIBRALTAR.

5.

7033.

Amended Scheme of Defence.

GIBRALTAR.

on

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have carefully considered the scheme of defence for Gibraltar as now revised by the General Officer commanding. This scheme is the fourth which has been furnished in consequence of corre- spondence between the War Office and the Station. In a Memorandum of the 30th January, 1889, the Committee dealt with the original scheme, and pointed out the defects which appeared to them to call for remedy. The Memorandum in question was forwarded to the General Officer commanding

Gibraltar 5

and a further Report (since printed) was received on 6703 Gibraltar 5

dated 3rd March, 1889. This Report was not dealt with by the 6763 Committee at the time, but on the 26th April, 1889, a letter was sent to the General Officer commanding by the Adjutant-General, pointing out that the scheme of defence was still regarded as inadequate and defective, and calling for "a complete scheme on the defence of the fortress as it exists at this moment, on the assumption that war has been suddenly declared, and that you have to defend your post as you now find it." To this letter the amended Report now under consideration is the reply.

?

The Colonial Defence Committee have therefore had before them both the further Report of the 3rd March, 1889, and the amended Report of the 25th July, 1889, which, taken together, must be regarded as the scheme of defence at present existing at Gibraltar.

The Colonial Defence Committee consider that the amended Report shows a great advance on its predecessors, and that the defects pointed out in their Memorandum of the 30th January, 1889, have been remedied to a great extent.

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They consider, however, that the question of the mode of dealing with the civil population in the event of war is an essential part of any scheme of defence for this Station, and they believe that it was the intention of the Adjutant-General, in the letter above referred to, to direct that this question should be fully considered. Whatever measures may be ultimately taken in regard to the population and civil administration of Gibraltar, it appears to the Committee that, since the General would be supreme in the event of war, his plan of action in regard to this question should be decided upon and clearly laid down.

In the following respects the scheme still appears to need amplification:- 1. An Engineer scheme is required, stating clearly the works which would require to be carried out in placing the fortress in a state of preparation, and how it is proposed that their works should be carried out.

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