PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
........................IC.O. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAM-NOT TO
126
CYPRUS.
A considerable amount of correspondence has taken place with the Khedivial Steamship Company, who hold the contract for the Government mail service with Egypt, on account of the Company's decision to increase their passenger and freight rates by fifty per cent. during the war, without any reference to this Government and in contravention of their contract. This Government was anxious, in view of the rise in the price of coal, not to enforce upon the Company too rigidly its legal rights, and after considerable negotiation, in the course of which Captain Orr was able, on his return here from leave, to see the Company's representatives at Alexandria, Government consented to allow for a period of three months an increase of twenty-five per cent. On the expiry of this period Government decided not to extend its permission, in view of the fact that the price of coal in Egypt had dropped to normal.
In consequence of representations made to this Government, both privately and by His Majesty's consular representatives in Asiatic Turkey, as to cases of dis- tress among Cypriots resident there, a sum of £1,000 was placed at the disposal of His Majesty's Ambassador in Constantinople for distribution among distressed Cypriots, both Moslem and Christian, in Asia Minor, in such manner as he saw fit. Shortly after the receipt of your sanction to this expenditure, war with Turkey broke out, so that I have up to the present no information as to the steps taken in the matter by the Ambassador.
Steps were taken by this Government to ascertain through His Majesty's Con- sulate at Athens if the Greek cotton buyers were prepared this year, as in previous years, to buy the island's cotton crop.
I have, &c., HAMILTON GOOLD-ADAMS,
High Commissioner.
232/S
SIR,
(Secret.)
EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.
No. 53.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 21st September, 1914.)
Government House, Nairobi, British East Africa,
18th August, 1914.
I HAVE the honour to forward, for your information, copy of the diary,* which has been furnished by my direction by the Officer Commanding the Troops, dealing with the situation in the Protectorate day by day since your warning telegram was received; also copy of a similar statement* regarding the situation at Mombasa, prepared by the Acting Provincial Commissioner. I have instructed these officers to submit such statements weekly until further orders, for transmission to yourself. 2. Since the receipt of the war telegram I have convened in my office a daily meeting of the Officer Commanding the Troops, the Acting Chief Secretary, the Attorney-General, and the General Manager of Railways, at which all informa- tion received and action taken during the previous twenty-four hours is considered and proposals for further action are deliberated. I shall continue to hold these meetings so long as the present situation lasts and the attendance of the officers in question can be secured.
3. The situation in the Protectorate is generally satisfactory. A gratifying response has been made to the call for volunteers. On Saturday last I inspected four companies of the King's African Rifles, and some 260 mounted volunteers, most of the dismounted sections having proceeded to different parts of the railway on patrol work. An efficient system of intelligence has been established all along the frontier.
• Not printed.
127
EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.
4. A second line of defence is being organized by a local committee with the object of providing rallying points and bases of supply in all districts in case of emergency and to ensure concerted action by the settlers who remain on their farms. 5. The distribution of the food supply is being regulated by a central com mittee with branches at Mombasa and other stations. There is at present a short- age of certain foodstuffs required by the European community, such as flour and sugar, but supplies generally are considered to be sufficient to meet requirements. The native food supply is well assured by the prospect of an abundant harvest.
6. A sense of uneasiness prevails to some extent at the present time in conse- quence of the paucity of the news telegraphed from England, and an impression exists that information is being withheld which the people have a right to know. I can only presume that when operations are more advanced the restrictions on telegraphic communications of this nature will be somewhat relaxed.
7. Such information as has been received from the German side of the border points to the fact that they are taking much the same line of action as ourselves. It is understood that their troops are assembled and entrenched at different points on the frontier, and are prepared to resist any advance from this side.
8. On the night of 14th-15th August a body of about 100 native troops assaulted our administrative post at Taveta, situated about one mile on our side of the border, and occupied it on the following morning-the Assistant District Com- missioner retiring to Voi by direction of the military authorities. The detachment at Voi has consequently been strengthened by the addition of two companies of the King's African Rifles, but it is not anticipated that any advance is contemplated. It is more probable that the post has been occupied with the view of obstructing to some extent the work of our intelligence parties.
9. I an. in communication with the Resident of Zanzibar regarding arrange- ments for the transport of the proposed expeditionary force, and I am endeavouring to collect the requisite number of porters. It has been necessary to detail officers of the Administration to superintend these arrangements and to detach others for services in connexion with military movements. The work of the civil authority is consequently much impeded, and dislocation of the administrative machinery is unavoidable, but all provincial and district officers are doing their utmost to co- operate with myself in meeting the situation as far as possible.
10. I have but little information regarding topographical details in German East Africa, but may possibly be able to add to that knowledge within the next ten days. I shall arrange to meet the officer commanding the expeditionary force either at Mombasa or Zanzibar in order that I may place him in possession of our latest arrangements here and confer with him regarding his plan of action; also with the view of learning from him his wishes as to co-operation by East African troops.
11. No shipping of the enemy has approached the port since the declaration Two German liners moored in the harbour departed hurriedly two days before that date, leaving cargo and passengers behind them. If any mails were despatched for East Africa and Uganda by German vessels due to arrive at Kilin- dini after 4th August there is no prospect of their coming to hand.
of war.
12. The following is a summary of the present disposition of German and Austrian subjects who have been placed under control as prisoners of war:—
Germans. Under strict detention :-
27
Reservists
Suspicious persons and persons refusing to accept
parole
4
Accepted shipment on parole to neutral port
Declined shipment and detained on parole Austrians-Under strict detention :-
Reservist
27
~~ ----
nil
14
1
Accepted shipment on parole to neutral port Declined shipment and detained on parole Suspicious female in European Hospital
I have, &c.,
H. CONWAY BELFIELD,
Governor.