CAB9-1_PT2 — Page 115

Page 115

Miscellaneous.

12

supplied to certain infantry corps in each district. Experience has shown the great value of these guns in all native warfare. They note that the Commission accept their formerly expressed view with regard to the calibre of these guns. As regards mounting, the Committee are informed that as a result of the late operations in Rhodesia a suggestion has been made that a tripod should be designed which could be carried on infantry and cavalry field-carriages of latest pattern, and also be suitable for pack equipment. Steps are now being taken to see if this is feasible. If this does not prove to be the case, it will probably be advisable for the Cape Government to obtain Peebles pack mountings, of which some have been made for special issue to the Cape for the 303" Maxims in the hands of Imperial troops.

The new pattern infantry machine-gun carriage, which has just been adopted in the Imperial Service, will also probably be found to meet Colonial requirements. It has 4' 8" wheels instead of 4 and 3′ 6′′ command of gun. 5,000 rounds of ammunition are carried in 20 boxes, and the weight behind the teams with two men up is 12 cwt. 1 qr. 6 lb.

The Committee do not recommend the adoption of the 1-pr. Hotchkiss by the Colony at the present time.

40. With the recommendations of the Commission on the subject of armourers. (paragraphs 180, 181), horses (paragraphs 182 to 186), Capitation Grant (paragraphs 187, 188), and Cadet Corps (paragraphs 189 to 192), the Committee are in general accord, but they recommend that Martini-Enfield and not Martini-Henry carbines be given to the cadets, who will learn to shoot better with the weapon which has the less recoil. The question of Wapenshaws (paragraphs 193 to 195) the Committee have discussed above in connection with that of Rifle Clubs, and the question of Coloured Corps (paragraphs 197 to 198) is one depending so much on local sentiment that they do not feel in a position to advise with regard to it. The miscellaneous suggestions of the Commission (paragraphs 199 to 207) are all matters which will no doubt receive careful consideration by the Cape Government.

41. As a whole the Colonial Defence Committee recommend the Report of the Commission to the earnest and immediate consideration of the Cape Government, with a view to the safety of the Colony from internal and external forces being thoroughly insured. The Committee desire also to record their hope that when the reorganization of the Colonial Forces of the Cape is completed, it may then be possible for the Governments of the various British Possessions in South Africa to consider the question of military federation, so that in time of need mutual co-operation and support will at once be attained.

•

Finally, the Committee recommend that a copy of the Report of the Cape Com- mission and of these Remarks on it be sent to the Governments of the other self- governing Colonies for their information.

100

September 18, 1897.

Page 115

70

(Signed)

M. NATHAN, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W. HARRISON. -21/9/97.

Page 115

+

229

O MI For records

Page [This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.16 of 290

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. September 1897.

SECRET.

No. 170 R.

NATAL.

079

W.O. No.

8242

C.O. No. 7478.

Report on Volunteers, December 1896.

CRE

4

Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Office have referred to the Colonial Defence Committee the Report of the Commandant of Natal Volunteers for the year ending the 31st December, 1896, transmitted by the Governor on the 18th March, 1897.

2. The Committee not having previously dealt with the subject of these forces consider it desirable to give, in the first instance, their views as to the duties which the Natal Volunteers might be called upon to perform. These duties are:-

(1.) The defence of Durban against attack by one or two cruisers, and the troops that might be landed from them.

(2.) The defence of the land frontiers against sudden raids from over the borders. (3.) The suppression, in combination with the police force, of attempts at riot or insurrection within the Colony either in peace or war time.

Admitting that the Imperial Government would have to accept the responsibility of assisting the Colony in defence against aggression, whether by land or sea, by a Power at war with the United Kingdom, the Colony is not thereby relieved of the necessity for organizing forces sufficient to secure local protection against minor attacks, and to relieve such regular troops as may be dispatched to its assistance, of all duties connected with the internal condition of the country that would weaken their more important function of a field force.

The existing arrangement for the defence of Durban is a clear example of the mutual responsibilities of the Imperial and Colonial authorities for defence against naval attack, and, in general principle, is equally applicable to the situation as regards attack otherwise than from the sea. The land forces of the Colony should be organized on a scale to admit of their dealing with any probable military contingency except that of invasion by a well-equipped army of a neighbouring civilized Power.

To carry out these duties there are, at the present time, in addition to an armed police force of some 600 men, most of whom would not be able to leave their stations, about 1,400 volunteers. It is obvious that it will be necessary for the Natal Govern- ment to take steps to increase considerably the strength of their existing forces, either on their present volunteer, or on a militia basis, and to maintain them at the highest degree of efficiency. The substitution of partially paid for entirely voluntary service has recently been proposed for the Cape Colony by a Commission which has investigated the subject with the greatest possible care, and the application of this proposal to Natal should be considered by the Government of that Colony. Under the existing conditions of military service in Natal no opportunity should be lost of impressing on the volunteers that they have real duties to perform, and of giving them every encouragement to make themselves efficient for these duties.

3. The establishment and strength of the Natal Volunteers on the 31st December, 1896, and the numbers allotted in the Defence Scheme for the Colony, revised to September 1896, are shown in the following Table :-

[691]