THE DEFENCE OF INDIA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1217, 27 January 1886, Page 5

THE DEFENCE OF INDIA.

A London paper, of a recent date, says it is reported that a great scheme for the defence of India has been laid ou t. It is a huge undertaking, but the Indian Government has approved of it, and it now awaits the sanction of the Home authorities. The cost is calculated to be no less than £80,000,000 sterling to be spent in eight or ten years. The plan includes the defence of Singapore, Ceylon, Aden, Bombay, and Kurachee. The latter place will be a most, important post. This, to begin with, is a large order, but it is by no means all. In pursuance of the new scheme proposed for the protection of India, a railway will be made to Pisheen passing through a strongly entrenched camp there. The Khojak Pass is to be fortified, and a powerful post created ar Ohumar, which will be the terminus of the rail. From thence to Oandahar all the earthwork and bridges are to be made so that rails can be laid down in a few days. It is also proposed to have the earthwork and bridges prepared for a railway from Candahar to Cabul. The scheme for the defence of India shows that Peshawur is to be strongly fortified, and a strong p>st established at Jumroad, and a strategic line of rails is to be laid along the banks at the Indus, connecting the posts Kohat, Dera Istnael Khan, Attock, etc. The plan, moreover, provides that harbors of refuge for women, children, the sick, and the invalid are to be formed at the high stations of Murra, Dalhousie, and Kassauli. If Russia gives us time to carry out all these things we ought to be able to hold her in check very easily. But strongly-fortified places, unless well defended, are sources of weakness rather than of strength, and one is bound to ask how many men it will take to maintain such a scheme of defence as this.