3377.
*
SIR,
No. 14.
(WEST AFRICAN FRONTIER FORCE-NORTHERN NIGERIA),
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Royal Courts of Justice,
January 30, 1900. We were honoured with your commands signified in Mr. Antrobus's letter of the 23rd instant stating that he was directed by you to request our consideration of the present position of the troops of the West African Frontier Force stationed in Northern Nigeria, and of the civilians attached to the West African Frontier Force in Northern Nigeria as medical and transport officers, accountants, &c.
That in reply to the letter from the Colonial Office of the 8th June, 1898, we reported that the forces commanded by Colonel Lugard were in military occupation of a foreign country, and that both the men serving under Colonel Lugard and the civilians accompanying his forces were subject to military law.
29th Dec., 1890.
That by the Northern Nigeria Order în Council provision was made for the peace, Order in order, and good government of, and for the appointment of a High Commissioner for, the Council. territories kidwn as Northern Nigeria, which were under the protection of Her Majesty; and doubt had been entertained whether, since the coming into operation of that Order in Council, the members of the West African Frontier Force within the Protectorate, and the civilians attached to that Force, could be considered subject to military law.
That Mr. Antrobus was accordingly to request us to take these matters into our consideration and to advise-
(1.) Whether the Order in Council providing for the administration of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria had in any way affected the legal position of the West African Frontier Force as defined in our Report of June 8th, 1898 ?*
(2.) Whether the members of the Force and the civilians attached to it could be held to be still in military occupation of a Foreign Country, and therefore on active service, and subject to military law ?
We have taken these matters into our consideration, and in obedience to your commands have the honour to
•
Report-†
of
That we are of opinion that since the Order in Council came into force the the West African Frontier Force, and the civilians attached to them, can no longer be
troops regarded as subject to military law on the ground that they are in military occupation of a foreign country, Northern Nigeria cannot, in our opinion, now be regarded as a foreign country within the meaning of section 189 of the Army Act. 1881.
The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,
We have, &c.,
RICHARD E. WEBSTER. ROBERT B. FINLAY.
&c..
&..
&e.
• No. 174 in Vol. V.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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Reference :-
LTC.O. 885
15 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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