29
393
5462.
No. 78.
TASMANIA.
GOVERNOR VISCOUNT GORMANSTON to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
(No. 2.) (Extract.)
(Received February 19, 1900.)
[Answered by No. 79.]
Government House, Hobart, Tasmania, January 13, 1900. I have the honour to inform you that the further contingent of, forty-five men, which this Colony is despatching to South Africa, to complete its unit now serving with the Imperial troops, will leave Hobart on the 18th instant. On reaching Melbourne they will at once embark on the steamship "Moravian," which has been chartered by the Government of New South Wales to contey their contingent to the Cape, and is calling at that port by arrangement with the Government of this Colony.
I yesterday inspected the contingent, and am happy to be able to report that I am thoroughly satisfied of their efficiency. They are men of good physique, and are, I understand, all good marksmen, having been selected from three times that number of volunteers who came forward to offer their services.
Though the corps be but small, it is a pleasure to note the extreme interest and enthusiasm displayed throughout the Colony in the despatch of their fellow-Colonists to co-operate with the Imperial Forces.
6462
No. 79.
TASMANIA.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR VISCOUNT GORMANSTON.,
(No. 10.)
MY LORD,
Downing Street, February 23, 1900.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 13th ultimo, and to inform you that I have read with much pleasure your report of the efficiency of the second Tasmanian contingent, and of the enthusiasm displayed through- out the Colony on the occasion of its departure for South Africa.
6359.
I have, &c.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
No. XI.
TASMANIA.
GOVERNOR VISCOUNT GORMANSTON to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
(No. 4.) SIR,
(Received February 26, 1900.)
[Answered by No. 83.]
Government House, Hobart, Tasmania, January 18, 1900.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the contingent of forty-five men to com- plete the unit from this Colony now serving in South Africa left Hobart this morning for Melbourne, where they will embark on the steamer "Moravian," sailing to-morrow for Cape Town.
Prior to their departure I publicly inspected them yesterday and addressed them a few words of farewell, in the presence of the Defence Forces of the Colony, who were on parade, as well as a large concourse of people, a holiday having been proclaimed for the occasion. The streets were gaily decked with bunting, and the utmost enthusias prevailed.
I was also present at the railway station this morning when, at the early hour of six o'clock, thousands of people had assembled to witness their departure.
At Launceston the small corps had an equally enthusiastic send-off, and one could not fail to be impressed with the popular demonstration of loyalty that has been evoked throughout the Colony by the acceptance of the services of this contingent by Her Majesty's Government.
6390.
No. 81.
VICTORIA,
have, &c.,
GORMANSTON.
LIEUTENANT-Governor Sir J. MADDEN to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
(No. 9.)
SIR,
(Received February 26, 1900.) [Answered by No. 82.]
Government House, Melbourne, January 22, 1900. I HAVE the honour to inform you that on the 13th of January instant the Government of this Colony despatched to the seat of war in South Africa a second contingent of troops by the S.S. "Euryalus." It consisted of three hundred mounted infantry, with their horses, fully equipped in all departments. The spirit of the men was excellent, and the enthusiasm of them and of the populace was unbounded.
The feeling of all sections of the people of all these Colonies is full of loyalty to the Empire and of determination to make any sacrifice which may be desired of them to make England's triumph in the war speedy and complete.
A strong desire has arisen among the people themselves to contribute to the army's equipment in the field a body of thoroughly trained and trustworthy stockmen to act as scouts. From all we learn of the difficulties of this work in South Africa, this body of men should prove most valuable. It consists of men who spend a great part of their lives day and night under the open skies, carrying all that they require for days at- tached to their saddles. Their lifelong occupation has been the herding and searching out wild cattle, and bringing them in to be yarded from the roughest mountain ranges or scrubby plains. This engenders in them a great coolness and wariness and know- ledge of rough country. They never lose themselves, and no life is too hard or rough for them. They are perfect riders in any position and on any horse, and most of them are very good shots, and they are all quiet, well-conducted men. It is thought that the gift of these to the Army would be an eminently Australian one, and the prevailing desire is very urgent to do something which shall do conspicuous service to the Old - Country.
It has caused great enthusiasm to learn to-day that the offer of this body of men has been accepted by your Government, and it will be very speedily available in the field. The Imperial Government may be quite assured that the eagerness to help in this war is sincere and great, and that no hesitation need be felt in asking for anything that stands within the power of this Colony to contribute.
6390.
I have, &c.,
JOHN MADDEN
SIR,
No. 82. VICTORIA.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to Lieutenant-GOVERNOR SIR J. MADDEN.
(No. 13.)
Downing Street, March 6, 1900. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 22nd January,* reporting the departure of the second Victorian contingent for South Africa.
• No. 78.
• No. 81.
PUBLIC RECORD. OFFICE
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Her Majesty's Government have been deeply impressed by the enthusiastic patriotism displayed by the people of Victoria on this occasion, and they accept with the highest satisfaction your assurance of the willingness of the Colony to render them further assistance during the present crisis, and will gladly avail themselves of it if occasion arises. They fully share your anticipation of the valuable services to he rendered by the body of scouts which is to be sent from Victoria to South Africa, anticipations which are fully justified by the admirable work done by the Australian contingents already in the field.
I have, &c.,
6359.
No. 83.
TASMANIA.
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
7520.
SIR,
No. 86.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
[Answered by No. 87,]
Downing Street, March 9, 1900. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to transmit to you, for the con- sideration of the Marquess of Lansdowne, a copy of a telegram* from the Acting High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States, offering the services of a contingent of Mounted Infantry in South Africa.
Mr. Chamberlain would be glad to be informed at Lord Lansdowne's early con- venience what answer he would wish to be sent to this telegram.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to Governor VISCOUNT GORMANSTON.
(No 11.).
MY LORD,
Downing Street, March 7, 1900.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your despatch of the 18th January,* reporting the departure of the second Tasmanian contingent for South Africa.
8216.
No. 87.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS..
7520.
No. 84.
I have, &c.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER SIR J. A. SWETTENHAM to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
(Received 8 a.m., March 8, 1900.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by Nos, 85 and 88.]
Federated Malay States Resident-General offers services South Africa of thirty British mounted infantry as volunteers, fully armed and equipped, horses; transport expenses will be paid by Federated Malay States.
SIR,
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received March 15, 1900.)
War Office, London S.W., March 14, 1900.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of Colonial Office letter of 9th instant (No. 7520/1900),† relative to thirty British Mounted Infantry in the Malay States having offered their services for employment in South Africa.
In reply, I am to inform you that the Marquess of Lansdowne suggests, for Mr. Chamberlain's consideration, that the Acting High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States be informed that these volunteers should be thanked for thus coming forward, but told that it will not be practicable to accept their offer of service.
I am, &c.,
8216.
G. FLEETWOOD WILSON.
No. 88.
384
7520.
No. 85.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER. SIR J. A. SWETTENHAM.
(Sent 4.20 p.m., March 8, 1900.)
TELEGRAM.
In reply to your telegram of to-day's date,† offer highly appreciated. It has been referred to Secretary of State for War.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES:
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to ACTING HIGH COMMISsioner Sir J. A. SWETTENHAM. (Sent 7 p.m., March 16, 1900.)
TELEGRAM.
convey
My telegram of March 8 Her Majesty's Government request you will cordial thanks to mounted infantry volunteers, but regret that it will not be prac- ticable to accept offer of service.
• No. 80.
↑ No. 84.