CO885-(26N14) — Page 33

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CORRESPONDENCE (JANUARY-OCTOBER, 1918) RESPECTING THE FUTURE OF THE GERMAN COLONIES.

13

947/8.

14

No. 1.

39

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA; NEW ZEALAND; AND UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL. [Sent 12.45 p.m., 4th January 1918.]

(Paraphrase.)

15

18

22

25

TELEGRAM.*

[Answered by Nos. 3, 4, and 13.]

Secret. It is the firm conviction of His Majesty's Government that, for security of Empire after the War, it is necessary to retain possession of German Colonies, but it has not been possible to secure general acceptance of this view owing to divergence of opinion among Allies. Great stress was laid by Russians during recent negotiations with Germans on right of population of country to determine its future, and proposal was made to apply this to German Colonies. There are indications in French news- papers, for instance, that this line of argument will be pressed in other quarters. should, therefore, be glad if I could be furnished with a statement suitable for publication, if necessary, containing evidence of anxiety of natives of [German New Guinea] [Samoa] [German South-West Africa to live under British rule. Summary should he sent as soon as possible by telegraph and statement itself by mail. should also be glad to receive any suggestions which Ministers may wish to make on the subject.-LONG.

I

I

947/8.

26

No. 2.

CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND

(Secret.)

SIR,

GOVERNOR.

Downing Street,

7th January 1918.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of telegramst which have been addressed to the Governors- General of the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa regarding the future of the German Colonies.

I have, &c.

WALTER H. LONG.

1815/8.

No. 3.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA.

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Paraphrase.)

[Received 12.15 a.m., 10th January 1918.]

TELEGRAM.

Secret. General Botha has seen your telegram of January 4th, and said he thought he would be able to make a good case in regard to attitude and desires of the natives of German South-West Africa, and would at once prepare a memorandum on the subject.

Similar telegram sent on 8th January to Administrator of German East Africa, Governor-General of Nigeria, and Governor of Gold Coast.

† No. 1.

A 3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Co

Reference :-

885/26

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