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292 The sum of 3 millions sterling would probably be required for the construction and armament of the forts, and for the torpedo defences necessary for the protection of our mercantile ports.

From questions which were asked in the House of Lords during a recent session of Parliament, it appears that a Royal Commission, presided over by Lord Carnarvon, has reported on the steps necessary to put our possessions abroad into a proper state of defence, and we may feel certain that, with a chairman of such well-known ability, the recommendations put forward are such as will meet all the requirements of the case. The question, however, which it is desirable to have answered is, whether the Government intend to act upon the recommendations submitted to them. Probably the report of the Royal Commission is now being referred from one department to another for consideration: each department consulted will have a nibble at it, and individuals whose knowledge is confined to parts of it only, will suggest alterations here and amendments there, which in all probability will not only very much detract from the value of the original recommendations, which have been considered and made as a whole, and from a wide comprehensive point of view, but will also very seriously delay any active steps being taken in the matter. It may, however, be concluded that the Government is fully alive to the necessity of taking effectual measures for the protection of our commerce abroad, and of our colonial possessions, and we must only trust that imperial necessities may not in this case be sacrificed to the requirements of party government.

The cost of the fortifications, their armament, the torpedo appliances, and floating defences which would be required to make our foreign and colonial possessions secure, will probably amount to between 4 and 5 millions sterling, of which the colonies would probably pay a share. The cost to fall on the mother country would not perhaps exceed 3 millions.

V. The next question for consideration is the provision of equipment and stores of every description, to enable two army corps on a war footing to take the field, and clothing and equipment for the whole of the reserve. Lord Wolseley, in his evidence before the Select Committee on the Channel Tunnel, is reported in the 'Times' to have said, with reference to our sending a force abroad: "The most men that we could possibly put into the field after some months would be about 70,000." The strength he mentions is about that of two army corps. But it must be remembered that, although we might with two corps strike an effective blow if we act at once, to do the same work "after some months" would probably require four or five corps. It is not the men that would fail us, for those with the colours and in the reserve would be more than ample for two army corps. It is the clothing, equipment, and stores of every description which would be deficient. If all the men in the reserve were now to be called out, it is believed that at least three months would elapse before they could all be properly clothed and equipped. The stores we now hold of tunics, helmets, greatcoats, boots, belts, &c., would be quite insufficient to supply what is required at any particular moment. At certain times before the issue of the annual supplies of clothing, which are calculated to meet the require-