571
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
CO.885/25
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
56152/16.
57828/16.
35472/15, 40071/15.
46977/16.
54173/16. 56216/16.
56216/16.
2
(B.)-Natives for Munition Work.
In November last the Ministry of Munitions asked for 6,000 Basuto labourers to work on the construction of a factory in this country, the men to be engaged on Kimberley terms, including the closed compound system, and this request was put to the High Commissioner. Lord Buxton, after consulting General Botha (whose co-operation, though Basutoland is not in the Union, is, of course, essential) replied somewhat doubtfully. The Basutos had not, he said, supplied their quota of the 10,000, and the chiefs, unless pressure was put on by Government, would not be likely to be helpful.
Lord Buxton has also pointed out that it is essential that the natives should not encounter a hostile reception on their arrival.
The proposal is at present in suspense, owing to our uncertainty as to the attitude of labour in this country, without whose co-operation the scheme cannot be carried out. The Minister of Munitions has not so far replied to our enquiries (dated 5th and 18th December) on this point.
(C.)—Employment of Natives as Combatants.
This question first emerged in the summer of 1915, when Ministers told us that The the coloured men and natives were anxious to take some part in the War. former were, as already stated, employed as combatants in East Africa; as for the natives, Ministers, after referring to the prejudice in South Africa against their taking a combatant part in hostilities between Europeans, suggested a corps of 500 or 1,000 for transport work. The War Office did not accept this, and the matter dropped.
In September 1916 the War Office, impressed with the value of the coloured Bermuda siege battery, moved us to ask the Union for 6,000 coloured troops for artillery work in Europe. Ministers hesitated about the Cape Boys, but in any case did not think the supply of coloured men sufficient.
With regard to natives they remarked that raw South African natives "would not suit at all," nor could they regard the employment of natives not under the closed compound system with equanimity.
The War Office, however, were undeterred by the objections of the Union Govern- ment, and on the 16th November we telegraphed to the Union that the Army Council wished to know whether a considerable number of native battalions could be raised from the fighting races of South Africa.
Lord Buxton's reply was as follows: "The question has been carefully discussed with General Botha. Following are his views, with which I agree :--
"Taking into account the general feeling prevailing in South Africa, which would undoubtedly be opposed to making use for combatant purposes of the South African native, i.e., the raw Kaffir, General Botha would greatly deprecate proposal to raise native units from Union for military service anywhere.
"Further, many native chiefs oppose their men enlisting, even in a native labour contingent, and it is doubtful if many who have supported the labour contingent would consent to their men enlisting for combatant purposes, or whether the men would be prepared to go in any case.
"Great difficulty would also arise over the pay question. Natives would hardly join at army rates, if for non-combatant work higher rates are paid already. Again it is exceedingly doubtful whether raw Kaffirs would be of any use as combatants in modern warfare, except in East Africa. Very many months would be required before they could be trained to the use of weapons of precision. It would, of course, be futile to send them armed with the assegais, the only weapon with which they are familiar, against European troops armed with rifles.
"Further, it is not probable that any training would enable them to stand shell-fire or bombing, especially from aeroplanes, which they would regard as witch- craft. Union Government are, however, anxious to assist in the desired direction as far as they possibly can, as follows: (1) The coloured contingent employed in East Africa has proved effective and efficient, and on General 'Smuts's request Union Government is taking steps to increase it immediately. (2) If the Native Labour Contingent which has been sent to Europe proves useful, and if experience shows that they can be kept healthy, Union Government and High Commissioner would be prepared to increase the numbers largely if recruits can be obtained in sufficient numbers. We presume that such contingents do directly relieve whites for combatant or other purposes.
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"Smartt" [the leader of the Opposition] "I ought to add, is personally strongly
in favour of enlisting Zulus for combatant purposes in the East African theatre of war.
}
The War Office hope that the Union will prepare to supply further labour 60190/16. contingents, but seem to recognize that the proposal for the employment of natives for combatant service in Europe cannot make any further progress.
The actual terms of the reply (dated 18th December) were as follows:--
"Army Council note with satisfaction decision to enlist a further coloured contingent for service in East Africa. While regretting that your Government find it impracticable to utilise fighting races, such as Zulus, for combatant purposes, Council are most grateful for offer of further assistance in way of labour contingents, which you can assure Ministers will directly. relieve whites for combatant or other essential purposes.
"Council hope that, pending report on results of first contingent, preliminary arrangements for raising further labour contingents will be undertaken at once.'
FIJI.
UTILISATION OF NATIVE AND COLOURED POPULATION FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.
In October 1915, the Governor said that it might be possible to get 500 to 1,000 50074/15. natives specially selected, and a certain number of Europeans and half-castes to be officers and non-commissioned officers, and subsequently the Governor proposed a 33625/16. platoon of natives and a platoon of half-castes to join New Zealand forces. Mr. Marks, unofficial member of the Legislative Council, promised to bear expenses of equipment and transportation to New Zealand of two platoons.
Nothing, however, came of these proposals, as the War Office thought that such troops would be unsuitable for service in Europe or Africa, and could suggest no other means of utilising them except to relieve the Australian and New Zealand garrisons in 35173. the Pacific.
The War Office have, however, recently enquired whether a half-caste company could be raised for service in Mesopotamia, and this question has been referred to 59017/16. Governor.
We have referred to the War Office an offer of twenty-six natives for transport 56712. work, expenses of equipment and passage to be paid by Mr. Marks. Presumably more would be available if War Office cared to pay for them.
EAST AFRICA,
I.-NATIVE TROOPS.
East Africa Protectorate, Uganda, and Nyasaland.
It has been decided, with War Office concurrence, that any additional native troops raised in East Africa should take the form of extra King's African Rifles, so that existing machinery and experience may be utilised to the fullest possible extent.
The progress of the expansion of the King's African Rifles has been as follows:- At the outbreak of war, the corps consisted of three battalions:-
1st Battalion King's African Rifles, partly in Nyasaland and partly in the East
Africa Protectorate.
3rd Battalion King's African Rifles, in the East Africa Protectorate. 4th Battalion King's African Rifles, in Uganda.
These have been, or are being, raised to an establishment of three battalions each.
A new 2nd Battalion has also been created, and is being raised to three-battalion strength, and a 5th Battalion has also been formed. The last four of these battalions are in process of being recruited and formed.