, 1874-11-25

able military force for both Islands, and
at the same time keep up regular communica-
tiOn between the Islands. He did not for a
moment doubt that in that way we might. pos.
Sibly, get even better disciplined men, because
onboard they are not exposed to the same
temptations as on shore, but he was sure this
method would also turn out more expensive
and less efficient as regards the question how
assistance could be rendered when needed
Differences of opinion exist a3 10 whether it is
right to concentrate the military force at Chris
tiansted or at Kingshill, and in favour of this
latter position it has been advanced that it is
a good military station and the mathe-
nautical centre. On the first point he did not
lay much stress, and as regards the latter it
certainly merits mora consideration, but then
it must be remembered that the military force
must be where there is most public property to
protect, and where communication with the
Superior Authority is sure. It has been sug-
gested hataPo'ieemaster and the military force
should be at kingshill and from there send out
patroles in cases Of disturbances practically
the Superior Authority could then in cases of
disturbance not do anything at all, but the
Policemas'er and the Military would act wholly
and solely on their responsibility. But it is
evident that would not do. On the other
hand, what Specification is there really in the
central rO3!i n claim I'd for KngshilI If the
force b regulated asn)w proposed, there W Il
be 10 b r5am0n, and by keeping two Osthem
a. Kingshill and two at FreQerikstel, it would
be possible to have military assistance from
C1ristianstod with at least 6 hours warning on
any point Of heIsland. And, indeed, it would
be rather singular if the Policam4sters in tho
Island should not b. able to f r9tell within 6
hours that disturbance may de dreaded, wher3-
as in the sad event of a force being repaired,
il VII be more than probable that we will be
able to send in time to the spot a proportion
ato'y considerable and we'll disciplined force,
which would render better service than 6 or 10
men being in the garrison The ain of the
Government is, to make the military force as
effective as possible, so that we may as nearly
as possible have a real military force and
from this reason a's) the Goyernm nj must to
this propO 1al conn c. the condition that the
force mast in future not b; W aEeHed, as at
present, BY the men being used as p03t-men
and as suhordinates at the Customhouscs. He
cOull very W II understand that many nDW say,
when once the m n ar there, why not u.s. them
for such purposes2 But there he would beg to
remark that it is difficult or impossible for any
commander to keep his mon in proper drill,
when they are allowed to b. out of his com
mQnd for a shorter or longer time. 1t is ne
cessary to have military men under constant
command, if not, You can't c)nfd3 in them, bu'
what is far worse, they may do harm when
called into service, As it is necessary to have
the whole number of men collected, anil under
military comm2nl ana drill, in order TO be able
to exact Of the commanders that they keep
their men in good military order, the Govern.
mant has laid down that condition. In the
remarks accompanying the Draft the Govern
ment states that if the Draft be passed
and the whole military force be G rrisoned here
in Ohristiansted, it would be requisite within "a
short time to build a new Barrack in oonneo-
ton with the Fort, This would be rather ex-
pensive for the moment, but in future it would
not, as it is bad economy to have so large a
building as the present barrack for 50 small q
number of men as at present looted there
AS long as we have the building without requir
ing much repairs, it is not so much felt, but il
will not be many years hence before consid
cradle repairs will be required to the building
if it is to be used for military purposes a new
building would in reality in the long rur
be a Swing, and afford the best menus o
keeping the forco under control and dis
cjplino.-If now we turn to what the saving
would be by this proposal. then, according t.
acc UNITS received from the Presidency, thc
to'al saving on the Military Budget would b,
$I0,l43. But on the withdrawal of the Mill
tary from Frederiksted, the Fort could bt