1
43
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of European settlement. The existing boundaries between the two countries are also, in large part, merely arbitrary lines drawn across the map and, with the exception of the Orange River, are not based on any well-defined physical features. Germany has made but little use of the land, and the total number of farmers established here under her agis barely exceeds one thousand. Thousands of European lives have been lost and millions of pounds have been wasted in this country through the crass stupidity in their relations with the natives of those Germans who were sent here in the earlier days either as soldiers, officials, or settlers. When trickery no longer deceived the natives, the sledge-hammer was brought into play, but the construction of a successful colonial edifice was not possible when that was the only tool in the hands of the builders,
5. When in their saner moments they stopped to consider the results of their work, they found their native labour supply destroyed, and were obliged to compel women, and even children of eight years of age and upwards, to work. For the diamond mines they had to seek labourers, much against their inclination, in the Cape of Good Hope, and for other mines and works they had to tout the still independent Ovambo chiefs to secure a minimum supply of "boys." Should Germany regain possession of the country, she will be constrained to import native labour, no doubt under conditions approximating to slavery, from some other of her colonies. If, on the other hand, the country remains in British hands, there will be no difficulty in procuring willing and experienced settlers from the Union, who would see to it that they were accompanied by the necessary labourers to supplement the local deficiencies..
6. To the advantages to South Africa of Walvis Bay, with a direct railway line to Mafeking, connecting with the Cape, Transvaal, and Rhodesia lines, it is only necessary to refer briefly, as they are fully appreciated on all sides. This bay is the only safe and commodious harbour on the coast between the Cape and Angola, and by its use the journey between England and the Transvaal and Rhodesia could be shortened by at least three days. It is the key to South-West Africa and to Central South Africa, but without the ownership of the south-western hinterland, it would be useless in the future development of those areas.
7. Amongst the German records at Windhuk there are plans showing proposed extensions of the South-West African railway system to the Union, to Rhodesia, to Angola, and to the Congo. I have before me maps on which contemplated lines are indicated-(a) from Okahandja due east to the Bechuanaland Protectorate border and then south-east to Zeerust, (b) from Keetmanshoop to a point due east near Rietfontein in the Gordonia district of the Union and thence in a north-easterly direction to Zeerust, (c) from Kalkfontein due east to Ukamas and thence to Prieska, (d) from Kalkfontein due south to Warmbad and thence to the Graaf- water-Cape Town line, (e) from Grootfontein north-east to Andara on the Okavango River and thence to the Victoria Falls, (f) from Otjiwarongo north-west through Ovamboland to Port Alexandre in Angola. Other projected lines are from Mossa- medes-Huilla to Kalomo on the Victoria Falls-Congo railway, and from Benguella in an east-north-easterly direction to the Congo line.
8. All are ambitious projects, but it was doubtless hoped in the fulness of time to achieve them. It is clear that in addition to aspirations in regard to South Africa, the Portuguese territory of Angola and the Belgian Congo were also kept in view as fit objects for German attention, and if the process of extending her influence by peaceful means went too slowly these lines could be used strategically in war. By their agency progress to Northern Rhodesia and East Africa would be easy of accomplishment, and the dream of a powerful German-controlled African Empire stretching from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, dominating French, Belgian, and British territory on the north, and British and Portuguese territory on the south would come within measurable distance of fulfilment.
9. There is a further point which may be worth mentioning, and that is the danger of the existence just beyond the Union border of a native population in a constant state of dissatisfaction and unrest having close family ties and relationships with natives on the Union side of the line. It will be recalled that the Cape Gavern- ment was obliged to take special measures for securing the safety of the border and preserving tranquillity in its neighbourhood during the Hottentot rising in this
country.
13
I desire to invite attention to the valuable services rendered by Major O'Reilly, the Military Magistrate of Omaruru, and Mr. Waters, the Crown Prosecutor for the Protectorate, in the collection of material and in its preparation for the report. Owing to the injunctions contained in your telegram that the work was to be pushed on with the utmost speed, the time at our disposal for settling the form the report should take and for the actual writing of the greater portion of it has been only ten days, and I would ask you to overlook any shortcomings that a close examination of the work may reveal.
I have, &c.,
To General
The Right Honourable Louis BOTHA, P.C., M.L.A., Prime Minister and Minister of Defence,
Cape Town,
E. H. M. GORGES,
Administrator.
REPORT ON THE NATIVES OF SOUTH-WEST AFRICA AND THEIR TREATMENT BY GERMANY. PREPARED IN THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, WINDHUK, SOUTH-WEST AFRICA, JANUARY, 1918.
[The Report, with the exception of Chapter XXVI., was published as
[Cd. 9146], August, 1918]. [Subsequently Chapter XXVI. was printed as the enclosure to No. 7 in [Cd. 9210), December, 1918J.
14443/8
(l'araphrase)
No. 14.
GOLD COAST.
THE GOVERNOR TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 10.10 p.m. 21st March 1918.)
TELEGRAM.
Togoland. With reference to my cypher telegram of January 16th,* Furley now has completed tour throughout British sphere and reports as follows:-
Begins, I have held meetings with practically every chief and the great majority of sub-chiefs south of Dagomba. I was everywhere very cordially received and the meetings were largely attended. The desire was universally expressed, and with unmistakable emphasis, to be under British rule and not given back to Germany.
The complaints which were made against German rule include (a) compul- sory labour without payment, (b), head tax, which the people had to borrow to pay, (c) and general ill-treatment and floggings. This caused many to come to earn money in the Gold Coast although this was prohibited.
The reasons given for wishing to remain under British rule and care were because (a) they are treated well, (b) they are relieved of head tax and of frequent calls on labour, and (c) every man is free to work for himself and earri
money.
Frequent reference is made in the West, and especially Krepi, to former connection with British, and to the fact that it was the British who freed them from former Ashanti oppression and from their troubles under the Germans. No instance of any wish to return to German rule. Great satisfaction is expressed at the return of British to Togoland and hope that they will win Their attitude in a few cases was that they had no power to choose and would agree to whatever decision may be given and are willing to serve British. No wish to serve French. No hesitation as to this. Any boundary line which would again sever Krepi conntry as a whole is opposed by Krepi chiefs
war.
• No. 6.
Ba
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
co
Reference :-
885/26
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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