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France might be supplemented by 1st-class torpedo-boats sent to Martinique before hostilities broke out. Also in view of the proximity of the defended coaling station at Martinique, it is possible that a force not exceeding 1,000 men might be landed for an attempt at surprise at some point of the island out of fire of the guns of the forts."

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16. Page 9, paragraph 18.—It is stated under "Movable Armament that the whole of the artillery will be absorbed by the detachments for the fixed armament, the 10-prs., and the guards at Toc, while 36 infantry are required to supplement these detach- ments. Consequently, the field guns and Maxims will have to be worked by infantry." With reference to this remark, it is noted that the Manning Table on pp. 47 and 48 show 27 and not 36 infantry required for artillery work, and it would appear that this number could be further reduced on the arrival of the 2 N.C.Os. and 13 men R.A. from Barbados. It is also not quite clear why artillery should be told off for the guards at Toc, while infantry are used to supplement artillery in gun detachments. But, in any event, the artillery garrison is at present too small, as it is certainly unadvisable to leave movable armament in the hands of infantry. This difficulty will, however, be removed as soon as the artillery establishment is raised next year to the numbers approved on the 1st April, 1898, viz., to a total of 11 officers and 308 men against 8 officers and 247 men, which were available on the date of the submission of the Defence Scheme. The machine guns should remain allotted to the infantry.

CHAPTER II.

17. It will be convenient if the arrangement of this Chapter usually adopted in Defence Schemes is followed in the case of St. Lucia, and the information given under the heading "Modes of meeting various Attacks" placed after that concerning "Communications." Existing communications must be understood before the modes of meeting attacks can be fully discussed. The subject of communications might advantageously be divided into "Traffic Communications" and "Transmission of Orders and Intelligence.". Under the former heading existing roads, paths, tramways, and means of water communication should be described, as far as these enter into tactical considerations; under the latter, existing telegraph and telephone systems and look-out and signalling arrangements.

18. Page 13, paragraph 2.—It is observed that the O.C.R.A. is here shown on the staff of the G.O.C. and also as Fire Commander, and in paragraph 4 on p. 44 he is told off to perform the duties of Fire Commander if the attack is from the sea, but if it is from the land side, he is to be on the staff of the Section Commandant (? Fortress Commander). In the case of combined attack by sea and land, he would presumably be at his Fire Commander's post, but this is not specifically laid down.

The Confidential Instructions referred to in Army Order No. 149 of November 1898 lay down that in some few cases the paucity of officers may render it necessary for the Officer Commanding the Royal Artillery to act as a Fire Commander. St. Lucia, with the number of R.A. officers now available for it, appears to the Committee to be one of these cases, and they therefore concur in the arrangement proposed in the Defence Scheme.

19. Page 21, paragraph 5.—It is stated at the end of this paragraph that "stores will be chiefly in the Army Ordnance Establishment at Toc and with the Army Service Corps at Castries, but there is also ample room for the necessary expense stores at Morne ;" and, in paragraph 7 on p. 22, that "as the loss of the Morne would entail the loss of the other two, it might become necessary to sacrifice Vigie or Toc, or both, to save the Morne." In these circumstances, the advisability of arranging for moving a portion, at least, of the ammunition and equipment on A.O.D. charge from Toc to Morne, on mobilization, should be considered by the General Officer Commanding. It would not do to risk the loss of essential stores in the event of orders being issued for the immediate abandonment of the Toc.

20. Page 25, paragraph 12 (2).—The Committee understand that arrangements have now been made for providing telephonic communication to the heights cast of Marigot Bay. This will obviate the necessity for furnishing this station with trained signallers and equipment for day and night signalling.

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