CAB9-1_PT2 — Page 196

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weaken any garrison which may have been collected for the defence of those places for an attack on Lagos, for which, at the best, only momentary success could be hoped.

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3. The Governor considers that the best way to meet an attack from the direction of Porto Novo "would be to make some provision to arm in times of emergency one of the small local steamers, and man the guns with members of an Artillery Volunteer force to be raised for the purpose.'

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On this subject, the Local Defence Committee of 1888, reported as follows:- Against any inland water attack contemplated from the westward, and in the absence of a torpedo-boat, if a Government vesscl be not available, a local steamer could be temporarily utilized as an armed vessel, and anchored in the main lagoon, about 1 or 2 miles west of Badagry, so as to command the Addo River, and the approach from Porto Novo.'

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The Colonial Defence Committee in their Remarks dated the 1st August, 1888, considered that "the floating defence would be necessarily important, especially as a protection from attack from the west. It seems, therefore, desirable gradually to arm the available launches as means allow, and to replace the brass ordnance of the Kathleen' (one of the then available steam-launches) by a 3-pr. quick-firing gun.”

The Colonial Defence Committee now adhere to this opinion as regards arming available launches, and concur in that of the Governor that attack from the westward had best be guarded against in the first instance by floating defences.

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Chapter I.

4. Page 7.-It might be desirable to embody the facts referred to in paragraph 2 of these Remarks at the commencement of Chapter I of the Scheme, unless, as is not impossible, by the time the Scheme is revised, the political and military situations have materially changed. For the moment it may be noted that the total French forces in Dahomey and Dahomey Hinterland are believed to amount to some 1,500 men, of whom not more than 250 are probably in Dahomey proper, and that reinforcements either by land or sea from Senegal, in the event of war, are improbable.

5. A description of the cables running into Lagos similar to that inserted in thie 1888 Report of the Local Defence Committee, and the exact places where they are landed, should be stated in Chapter I of the Scheme.

6. Page 7, paragraphs 2 to 4.-The mode of meeting various attacks is dealt with partly in Chapter I and partly in Chapter II (D). It would suffice to discuss them in the latter place only.

7. Page 7, paragraph 2.-The suggestion that telephonic communication should be. established between Lagos and Bishai appears wise, and should be given effect to as! soon as possible. It may be remarked, however, that suggestions of this nature made by the Local Defence Committee would be better included in their letter covering the Defence Scheme, as the Scheme itself should deal only with the utilization of existing

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8. Page 7, paragraph 3; page 16, paragraph 23.-The Local Committee recommend that when hostilities are imminent all buoys should be removed, and the Harbour- master is instructed to arrange for their removal. It is understood that these buoys are those indicating the passage into the harbour from over the bar, and that there are none in connection with water communication from Porto Novo. With regard to a similar proposal contained in the 1888 Report, the Colonial Defence Committee stated:

"It is undesirable, except in the last resort, to remove the buoys and beacons, as the harbour should be kept open to friendly shipping as long as possible. Such small craft as could cross the bar are unlikely to be hostile vessels."

The Committee adhere to this opinion.

9. Page 7, paragraph 4. The danger to the magazine on account of its exposed position, here referred to, was also brought to notice in the 1888 Report,

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