30
no longer compatible with its original institution and the guarantees under which it was accepted by the Rulers.
I have, &c.,
L. N. GUILLEMARD.
(11400/25.)
31
No. 15.
The HIGH COMMISSIONER to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 9.20 a.m., 11th March 1925.)
TELEGRAM.
(60567/24.)
No. 13.
MALAY STATES. (Extract.)
The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
(Paraphrase.)
(Sent 7.53 p.m. 11th February, 1925).
Secret. Private and Personal
TELEGRAM.
REGRET delay in replying to your telegram of 29th December.* I concur in principle in your despatches referred to and approve of your coming on leave carly in summer to discuss matters dealt with in them.
I am considering what extension of your term will be necessary and the extent to which proposals can be carried out pending discussion. As to this I will telegraph further in the near future.
(80587/24.)
No. 14.
AMERY.
The SECRETARY OF STATE to the HIGH COMMISSIONER.
(Sent 4.5 p.m. 25th February, 1925.)
(Answered by Nos. 15 and 16.) TELEGRAM.
*
*
The following action represents my present intentions:-I propose consultation and discussion of main changes with their Highnesses the Federated Malay States Rulers when I see them on 21st March at Kuala Lumpur. I do not recommend as yet similar discussion with Sultans of Unfederated Malay States. I must await result of discussion with Rulers and Residents before I can tell which and how many unofficial members I can safely consult. Since questions of high policy only concern the latter indirectly I should ask each in confidence for his individual and personal opinion and should impress on him that he is not at liberty to discuss policy with others without my permission. The question whether any announcement should be made before my departure on leave will depend entirely on their attitude. I should be glad if you would inform me by telegraph as soon as possible whether procedure suggested meets with your general approval.
I think that announcement if made should follow lines of my despatch of the 21st October* suitably amended. The references to the future of the Unfederated Malay States should especially be eliminated.
No. 16.
GUILLEMARD.
(14154/25.)
The HIGH COMMISSIONER to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 4.30 p.m., 26th March 1925.) TELEGRAM.
501
MALAY STATES.
(Paraphrase.)
My telegram of 11th February. Private and Personal.†
THE proposals made in your Secret despatch of the 21st of October‡ should now be communicated confidentially to Chief Secretary who should be told that I have concurred in principle and have approved of your coming on leave for discussion of details. I recognise that his position will be made difficult by the proposal to abolish the Chief Secretaryship but at the same time I agree that while he retains his post no substantial progress can be made. Vacancy at Agency, where I understand he wishes to succeed Brockman, will occur in November and I am willing, if you concur, to appoint him for 2 years in first instance on same terms as at present if he is willing to retire on pension in time to take over Agency in that month.
The appointment of a substantive successor as Chief Secretary will not be necessary but an Officer should be appointed to act with express intention of laying down powers and making possible the abolition of the post. I should be glad to know whom you would wish to recommend for this difficult appointment.
The question as to what extension of your term of office will be necessary depends largely upon the date of Maxwell's retirement. I propose to await your reply on this point.
I presume that you will defer publication of your despatch until receipt of my despatch in reply. This will be addressed to you in due course. I regard it as important that before publication full confidential conversations should take place between yourself and the Rulers and Chiefs, the Residents and Advisers and also the leading unofficials. In these conversations you should explain fully the trend of your proposals with a view to securing as far as possible their concurrence in the policy which will not be made public until you have succeeded in obtaining general and cordial agreement.
AMERY.
MALAY STATES.
(Extract.)
Secret. My telegram of even date.t
The four Rulers and their Residents, all of whom I have now seen, have unanimously expressed their general agreement with the new policy proposed, and the Rulers have asked that early steps should be taken to bring it into operation. Maxwell knows that they have expressed approval of the new policy and they are aware of his opposition to it.
Matter has also been put to the four Undangs of Negri Sembilan whose ready concurrence I have succeeded in obtaining. I have also seen so far four unofficial members of Council, three of whom have expressed agreement. The fourth says that he is at present doubtful whether proposed policy is practicable, but he is none the less not prepared to oppose it.
* No. 12.
GUILLEMARD.
† 14155/258: not printed.
•
60867/24: not printed.
† No. 13.
↑ No. 12.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
1
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