IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 39

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

The following is the statement of (he principles which undotlie tbe plans of the Colonial Defence Coramit<«», announced by the Dukt of Devonshire ia his speech to the British Bmpira League, and referred to in oar leading article t— " The maiutonauoe of sea supremacy has been assumed as tbe basis of the system of Imperial 'defence againsb attack from over the sea. This is the determining factor in shaping tha whole defensive polioy of the Empire, and is fully recognised by the Admiralty, whoh-ve accepted the responsibility of protecting all British territory abroad againsb organised invasion from the sea. To fulfil this great oharge they claim the absolute power of disposing of tbeir-iorcM in the manner they consider most certain to eeoure success, and objeob to limit the action of any p%rt of them to the immediate neighbourhood of places which they confide* may be more effectively protected by operations at si distance. It is recognised, however, tbat hec Majesty's ships, engaged in hunting out and destroying the squadrons of an enemy, may not be in a position to prevent the predatory raids of hostile cruistrs on British ports. Theystrength of such an attack will vary in the different parts of the world, according to the strengths of possible hostile navies, the proximity of their bases, and the troops that are or could easily be brought there in anticipation of war. It also varies from time to time with changing political combinations. Bat it is in the highest dogres improbable that this raiding attaok would be made by more than a few ships, nor oonld it be of any permanent effect unless troops could be landed. In no case could a greater force than a few thousand men bo collected and conveyed without such arrangements and preparation as would bring the operations ander tbe catogoxy of those which the navy has undertaken to prevent. Against a raid of the nature indicated, it 1m been considered necessary to make absolutely secure those places which are essential to the navy for coaling, refitting, and repairing. Ports for this purpose have been selected by the Admiralty, and all Imperial resources in men and money available for use abroad nave been concentrated on their defence. Apart from the harbours fortified for the navy, there are other ports, which, though they do not enter into what may be called the general strategic scheme, are also liable from their commercial importance to predatory raids; and whioh required measures of defense for the protection of the special interests involved. The resources of places which, in tbe opinion of an enemy, would justify the very considerable risks which a raid on them would involve, are generally sufficient to admit of the provision of local defence by local means, and where the liability to attack and the resources to resist attaok coexist; it has been held to bo tha duty of the colony to make provision for adequate defenoe. In dealing with plaoes of this nature th* committee have advocated the creation of suffioiant fixed defences to prevent their unmolested occupation by koitile cruisers, bat mare esjMoially the provision of troops sufficient to deal- effectually with snch forces as an enemy most pat on •bore 'to enable him to Moore any permanent advantage from his attaok. Troops without works may defeat an enemy and frustrate bis obieot. Works without troops are uaeleisanA