CO882-(8-9) — Page 64

Eastern

No. 102.

· PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

C.O. 882

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY, WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE SULTAN OF JOHORE AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE, 3RD APRIL, 1906.

raise.

The EARL Of Elgin.

PRESENT:

Sir JOHN ANDERSON, K.C.M.G.

Mr. C. P. LUCAS, C.B.

Mr. G. V. FIDDES, C.B., C.M.G.

HIS HIGHNESS THE SULTAN.

DATO ABDUL RAHMAN, C.M.G. (who interpreted).

LORD ELGIN asked if there were any matters which His Highness wished to

HIS HIGHNESS replied in the negative.

LORD ELGIN said that he understood that His Highness was shortly returning to Johore, and asked if it was his intention to reside there and himself conduct the administration in future, pointing out that His Highness was the head of the State, and that it was his duty to administer it in a proper manner. The Secretary of State must insist that His Highness should reside in Johore, and that if he desires to absent himself in the future he must consult the High Commissioner, and also give. the Secretary of State an opportunity of expressing an opinion whether his absence would be inconvenient or not.

HIS HIGHNESS said that he understood the point, and that when he left before it was with the approval of the Council and people.

LORD ELGIN replied that His Highness must reside in the country and admin- ister it properly. If not, we, who were interested in Johore as a neighbouring State, and as the State which protected him from external enemies, would have to consider if any change would be required in the constitution of Johore to enable the adminis tration to be carried on. We should always be glad to give His Highness every assistance, and he would always have the High Commissioner to advise him. But if the administration should not be carried on in general conformity with our require- ments, we should have to consider whether it would be necessary to take any other steps.

What passed at this interview would be recorded in a letter, in order that His Highness might be fully aware of what was said.

Turning to the letter which the Secretary of State had received from His High- ness, Lord Elgin said that it raised two or three points on which he would touch.

First as to the grant of concessions. He was not satisfied that the draft conces- sion enclosed in the letter was a proper one. There was much in it that was danger- ous to the State, and His Highness should consider it with the High Commissioner. In respect of all proposals for concessions, he should put himself in frank and free communication with the High Commissioner, and be guided by his advice. Our only wish was to assist in the development of Johore, but this must be done in conformity with the permanent interests of the State, and the present concession was not in the permanent interests of the country.

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HIS HIGHNESS Said that the two concessions granted by him were, as he believed, in the best interests of the State, and intended to bring in capital, and he was sure that no one would advise him to upset them at this stage. They were entered into with the best men to be found in London, and were made in the interests of his country.

LORD ELGI replied that he was speaking not of concessions already granted, but of that proposed to be given to Guthrie and Company.

50 O TEK UP: 636 400 &

& 24418