GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1898 . 
365 
(7.) Protection, of Observing Stations, 8fc. —These, as well as the shore 
ends of cables, are especially liable to attack by small landing parties, 
and must be protected by infantry pickets. The vigilance of these 
latter should be the constant care of the Staff Officer of the Section. 
The parties guarding a possible landing place should be provided with 
a machine gun. P.F. cells, no matter how far back they may lie, 
should never be without a guard. 
(8.) Position of Ships .—Ships must never lie “ under the guns of 
forts,” but always far in rear of them. This was found practically by 
the Peruvians in the war with Chili. 
Want of space has unfortunately prevented any reference to any 
form of attack, save the one which is most likely at the outbreak of 
hostilities. This, however, is the most important, as it is the one with 
which we shall first have to deal, for, as already pointed out, attacks on 
works on a large scale cannot take place until later. The interesting 
subject of the attacks to which our colonial and coaling stations are 
liable, has also to be left untouched. 
Finally, the proposals, made above, are intended to meet the 
exigencies of the moment with the means existing, and to be practical 
rather than theoretical. The only point strongly pressing is the pro - 
vision of many more Q.F. guns, suitably mounted. These are instantly 
necessary. Let us hope that the motto of this paper will be borne in 
mind by those responsible for the supply. 
