110 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
reception or fitting of such materiel as may be furnished by the neigh¬ 
bouring-workshops.”* 
In India, the natural bases of supply are found at the great ports and 
capitals—viz., Calcutta, Madras, Bombay. Around these are grouped 
the factories, or within convenient distances ;f and the various arsenals 
necessary for the supply of the fractions of the army scattered over 
the vast empire, are placed at the secondary bases and strategic points. 
In this case, also, the duty of an officer charged with the establishment 
of an arsenal would be confined to the creation of a large military 
depot, but provided with workshops for construction to a limited extent, 
and for repair. 
In the colonies and in foreign countries—cases embraced under the 
third, fourth, and fifth heads (see ante p. 109)—we see that the establish¬ 
ments would properly belong to a second-class arsenal. Circumstances, 
however, might occur in which we might have to establish factories, 
but the probability is so remote that we must subordinate this branch 
of the subject to that which appears more likely to occur in actual 
practice. At the same time, it will be right to touch upon the larger 
question, however difficult or even impossible it may be to enter into 
details, concerning which a consideration of the place and time can 
alone afford a real and practical decision. 
3. The Considerations which Govern the Position of an Arsenal. 
The position of an arsenal will invariably be governed by strategical 
considerations. 
An arsenal should be situated at the base of operations, whether for 
offensive or defensive purposes. Jomini draws a distinction between 
the base of operations and the base of supply, but this distinction 
cannot apply to the furnishing and replacement of munitions of war. 
In defensive operations it must be situated near that point which is the 
best adapted in all respects to form a last stand-point against attack, 
and from which a successful counter-stroke may be launched at the 
assailant. 
It must be secure from attack, placed at that point from which the 
transport of stores can be effected with the greatest facility, whether 
by rail, water, or road—a combination of all three means of transit 
being the most to be desired—to the various parts of the area to be 
supplied. 
It should never be too near the frontier, or outer line of defence. J 
An arsenal should be placed so that it can with facility draw in the 
resources of the country in minerals, timber, and the great mass of raw 
material required for the construction of munitions of war. 
Safety and facility for supply and transport are the chief considera¬ 
tions which must decide the position of an arsenal; and whether for 
* Royal Commissioners on National Defence, May, 1860. 
f The Carriage Factory in Bengal is, however, at Futtehghur, far up the country. 
X Metz. War of 1870-71. 
