CO885-(19-20) — Page 251

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

سائر

Reference :-

C.O. 885

20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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consulted by the Belgian Foreign Office on the proposal of His Majesty's Govern- ment, and I have now received the reply from M. Davignon of which I have the honour to transmit a copy. From this, it will be seen that the Belgian Government find difficulty in enforcing the present law which forbids the sale in the Congo of They are opposed to the policy of elephant tusks weighing less than 10 kilos. further raising that limit though they do not refuse to co-operate in the manner suggested, but desire, before giving a final reply to the proposal, to learn the decision of the other Governments interested.

The Right Honourable

Šir Edward Grey, Bart.,

&c.. &c., &c.

MONSIEUR LE Chargé d'AffAIRES,

I have, &c.,

H. GRANT WATSON.

Bruxelles, le 12 Août, 1911.

DANS le courant du mois de juin dernier, la Légation a bien voulu me signaler certaines mesures de protection que le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Britannique jugerait opportun d'arrêter de commun accord entre les divers Etats intéressés en vue de la conservation des éléphants en Afrique. La Légation était chargée de demander si le Gouvernement du Roi serait eventuellement disposé à prêter son concours à la réalisation des mesures préconisées.

Mon collègue des Colonies, que j'avais eu soin de saisir de cette proposition, fait remarquer qu'aux termes des dispositions actuellement en vigueur dans la Colonie du Congo belge, il est interdit de tuer des éléphants dont les défenses pèsent moins de 10 kilos., ainsi que de vendre, de détenir, et de transporter semblables

défenses.

Cette interdiction, ajoute M. Renkin, soulève de vives critiques. On objecte qu'un éléphant ayant des défenses de 5 à 10 kos. a dépassé l'âge adulte et qu'il ne mérite pas une protection spéciale, surtout là ou la présence d'un grand nombre de ces animaux constitue un réel fléau pour l'agriculture. Il est avéré que nonobstant la prohibition légale, qu'il serait difficile de faire respecter d'une façon efficace, on chasse l'éléphant muni de défenses d'un poid inférieur à 10 kos., et que par le fait On est même la vente s'en effectue; ce commerce fait en fraude de la loi aboutit à l'expor- tation claudestine et est des plus néfaste aux intérêts du trésor colonial. d'accord pour affirmer que le tiers, sinon la moitié, de l'ivoire en circulation se com- posé de défenses de moins de 10 kos.

Dans ces conditions, au lieu de songer à élever le poids minimum des défenses pouvant faire l'object d'une détention et d'un trafic licites, l'Administration de la Colonie se proposait au contraire d'envisager l'éventualité d'en abaisser la limite.

Quoi qu'il en soit, avant de se prononcer sur la suggestion du Gouvernement britannique, le Gouvernement du Roi attendra d'avoir été informé de l'accueil qu'y auront réservé les autres Etats dont le concours a été également sollicité.

Je me permets, Monsieur le Chargé d'Affaires, de recourir à l'obligeante entre- mise de la Légation pour obtenir, le moment venu, les indication utiles à cet égard.

Veuillez agréer, &c.,

Monsieur Grant Watson,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

DAVIGNON.

75.

2. I cannot approve the proposal to ask the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire and other kindred societies to subscribe towards the cost of a game-proof fence between Nairobi and Kiu Stations, as I consider that such a fence, if erected at all, should be erected by the Government, which should endeavour to recoup itself by imposing higher fees for licences, and by selling the skins and carcases of the game killed outside the reserve; but I feel very doubtful whether the proposed fence is the best solution. It would clearly cost a large sum of money to erect, and it does not appear to me that it would surmount all difficulties, as the game would still be free to escape at the open ends.

3. It appears to me that the better solution is that the settlers affected should fence their farms, and I observe that the Game Warden states in his report that this

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is in reality the most business-like proposition," I understand that, as most of the farms in the district in question are contiguous, the expense would not be so great as it would otherwise be, the fencing required being much less than if the farms were isolated. I approve, therefore, of your approaching the farmers concerned, if you have not already done so, and ascertaining what they are prepared to do in It will then be a matter for consideration what measure of this direction. Government assistance can be extended to the farmers in the work of fencing, but you will understand that I should only be prepared to recommend to the Treasury that a moderate proportion of the cost should be borne by the Government. In this connection I should be glad to be informed what portion of the very large sum already advanced to the white settlers for fencing purposes has been repaid up to date.

30241

SIR,

(No 471.)

No. 44.

I have, &c.,

L. HARCOURT.

EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 16 September, 1911.)

Government House, Nairobi, August 26th, 1911.

I HAVE the honour to transmit the proceedings of a meeting with repre- sentatives from the following Associations for the purpose of discussing the question of stock thefts in the Protectorate:-

The Convention of Associations.

The Pastoralists Association.

The Lumbwa Farmers Association.

2. The details of the measures which it is proposed to take to deal with this class of crime will be furnished later.

I have, &c.,

E. P. C. GIROUARD,

Governor.

21966

(No. 471.) SIR,

No. 43.

EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE,

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

Downing Street, 29 August, 1911.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 318, of the 6th of June,* forwarding a report from the Game Warden on the subject of the damage done by game in the Machakos and Nairobi Districts on the border of the Southern Game Reserve.

• No. 39.

Enclosure in No. 44.

His Excellency said he had called the Delegates of the various Associations together to discuss the question of stock thefts, in consequence, more particularly, of the commission of a serious crime, which had resulted in what could only be called a gross miscarriage of justice, throwing disrepute upon the system of trial He spoke plainly because nothing could by jury instituted in this Protectorate. be gained by glossing over palpable facts, for even though the letter of the law might have been carried out its spirit had been violated in a manner to do great harm to the progress of government in the country. The matter had passed out of his hands, and, as they would have seen, had been brought to the notice of the Imperial Government both privately and by the Government of this country; and the Secretary of State had publicly stated that, if he found trial by jury in East Africa led to a constant miscarriage of justice, he would consider steps to prevent it. That was a very serious and weighty pronouncement, and one which he must beg the community to take to heart, for it indicated a setback in the rapidly improving

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