0
84
Nothing took place however until a few
days ago when General Anderson informed me that he proposed to apply for a search warrant. I suggested to him that the case was not a very strong one. If the search was successful the German could plead that though possession was now illegal it was not so at the time he made them and his only offence lay in his neglect to send them out of the Colony, while the open way in which he had shew them to the two Engineers proved that he had no idea he was doing wrong, in view of the fact that the position of the guns on the sky-line is perfectly obvious to everyone, and the defences can be overlooked from a neighbouring hill close by access to which is free to the public.
5.
In these circumstances the penalty inflicted on conviction would probably be small, while
in the very probable alternative of a failure to find the plans much ill-will would be created. I added that the
action of the Colonial authorities in this matter would
of course obtain a wide publication. A delicate situation already existed in Morocco, and I could not say whether in the circumstances of the time His Majesty's Government might not be embarrassed by our action especially if (as was most probable) it proved futile.
6.
I suggested that as the matter had lain dormant for so long it would be advisable to seek the guidance of the War Office before proceeding to extrimities. General Anderson concurred in my view and
the attached letter to the War Office is the result.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
Mugang
Governor, etc,.
me the voted of