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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
co
Reference :-
885/26
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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Yesterday there appeared here a Reuter report (apparently verbatim) of Prime Minister's speech with reference to German Colonies. He is reported to have said that none of these territories are inhabited by Europeans. German South-West Africa, however, is a temperate climate suitable for Europeans to live in. I cannot see how the principle of "national self-determination" could be applied to it, and it will always be more a European than a native territory, since, thanks to the Germans, there are comparatively few natives. You are well aware that almost all sections in Union would keenly resent the return of the Colony to the Germans, and that it would be politically disastrous, and while the natives, both Ovambos and the rest, would almost all certainly elect to remain under British rule, they could hardly be given a more influential voice than the German inhabitants. If the latter had to vote on the future of territory the result could scarcely be in doubt, but if the territory were annexed to Union most of Germans would probably remain and become loyal and useful citizens.
I shall not have an opportunity of seeing General Botha for about a week, but I will communicate further when I receive his memorandum.-BUXTON.
2750/8.
No. 4.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
[Received 9.40 a.m., 15th January 1918.] TELEGRAM.
(Paraphrase.)
D
Secret. Your telegram, 4th January, as to retention of possession of German Colonies.
Government not able to offer any suggestions on the subject at present moment. Administrator of German New Guinea, Brigadier-General Pethebridge, is in Melbourne at present, and has furnished Government with a memorandum on matter.
It is being transmitted to you by telegraph separately.-MUNRO Ferguson.
3111 S.
No. 5.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 8.45 p.m., 15th January 1918.) TELEGRAM.
(Paraphrase.)
(The portion in [ Jis printed as No. 3 in [Cd. 9210].)
My telegram, 15th January,† [German Colonies. Administrator, Rabaul, has made following statement in relation to a report (? published) in Australian press on December 24th of statement which Mr. Lloyd George made about that date:
(Begins.) While such a (? policy) would be applicable to Colonies settled by a civilised or white population, such conditions do not obtain in German New Guinea. In the first place German New Guinea south of equator consists of a portion of the mainland of New Guinea and a number of large and small islands at distances from each other varying from a few miles to 900 miles, extending at the extreme points over an area of land and sea 1,400 miles east and west and 500 miles north and south. The native inhabitants number from 500,000 to 800,000, consisting of different races speaking different languages, with numerous tribes constantly at war with each other on the larger islands, so that it can readily be seen how little cohesion may be expected from them.
• No. I.
† No. 4.
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If, therefore, the word "inhabitants" in Mr. Lloyd George's published statement is to include the native population, anything like a reliable expression of their wishes as regards future government would be quite impossible.] The natives have a very hazy idea of the state of affairs even after three years of military occupation by a small British force. Some of them can barely understand that their masters are now the British, but they cannot understand in their native reasoning how such can be the case when they see the German firms and planters still permitted to carry on their businesses. Conquest by another nation means to the native mind slavery of the conquered or a human feast. Under existing conditions Germans continue to be the principal employers of natives, and so long as the natives are treated by them fairly decently a future government is obviously not a matter that employees bother about much. We have certainly improved labour conditions during our administration by insisting upon a fairer and more equitable treatment of the natives, but it is not likely to be conceived by the natives concerned that such a state of affairs is due to British rule. The white population which, including Japanese, number about a thousand, two-thirds of whom are Germans, represent the planters, firms, and settlers or colonists who were in occupation before the War. During military occupation these have not increased, nor has there been any accession of numbers favourable to British rule. There would not be out of the thousand more than perhaps fifty British and a hundred Japanese with about thirty other Allied subjects, all of them with relatively small interests, compared to German interests.
You are aware that any British settlement in the Colony has not been practicable under the accepted terms of capitulation, and this is more particularly the case because no land transactions have been permitted. It is not difficult to foresee what the result under all these circumstances will be if Mr. Lloyd George's policy with respect to German New Guinea is carried out. Native population indifferent as to future government of white population, a large majority already German. The obvious strategic and commercial value and importance of this possession becoming British is my excuse for drawing your attention to this matter.
I have not taken into consideration in this memorandum any of the islands north of equator which are occupied by Japanese. (End of statement.)--- MUNRO FERGUSON.
(Paraphrase)
No. 6.
GOLD COAST,
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 2.10 p.m., 16th January 1918.)
TELEGRAM.
With reference to your cypher telegram of January 8th, I have sent the Secretary of Native Affairs to collect evidence in Togoland, that in my possession being insufficient for the purpose of the statement which you require. As soon as possible I will communicate further.-CLIFFORD.
5141/8
No. 7.
NIGERIA.
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 7.15 p.m., 26th January 1918.)
(Paraphrase)
TELEGRAM,
With reference to your telegram of the 8th of January, it will take time to collect evidence. On January 13th Shehu of Bornu wrote reporting great rejoicing at Dikwa at inclusion under British rule. Also on behalf of Mandara, Kusseri, Logone, Gulfei,
* Not printed it was in similar terms, mutatis mutandis, to No. 1.
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