CO885-(7-8) — Page 232

325

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

}

19

Reference:-

C.O.885

12

Telegraph as soon as possible date of departure and probable date of arrival in South Africa of contingent, with full details as to strength, armament, composition, quantity of ammunition and any deficiencies of equipment. Nominal rolls should be sent to me by earliest opportunity.

We cordially recognize great moral and material value of assistance and co- operation of Government and people of New Zealand.

Of course, ammunition will be replaced by Her Majesty's Government,

35882

No. 39.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR EARL BEAUCHAMP. (Sent 8.30 p.m. December 24, 1899.) TELEGRAM.

[Answered by N», 50.]

Referring to my telegram of 20th December,* Field Battery should be complete in every respect with horses, 750 rounds of ammunition per gun, if possible, and full transport. Mounted infantry should be organized in units of 125 non-commissioned officers and men, one captain and four subalterns, with good proportion of farriers, shoeing-smiths, and saddlers; men should, if possible, bring 500 rounds of ammunition, Mark II., 303, personal and regimental equipment, saddlery, stable and picketing gear, nosebags, grooming kits, horseshoes for three months, farriers' tools, regimental and other transport.

I should be glad if your Ministers will communicate and arrange with other Colonies, and telegraph as soon as possible date of departure of contingent, probable date of arrival South Africa, with full details as to strength, armament, quantity of ammunition, composition of force, and any unavoidable deficiencies of equipment; send nominal rolls by earliest opportunity.

Her Majesty's Government cordially recognize prompt and energetic action of your Ministers and of Governments of Australia, and great moral and material value of assistance they have offered.

Referring to your telegram 19th December,t see my telegram of 19th December. Of course, ammunition will be replaced by Her Majesty's Government.

35779

No. 40.

SOUTH AFRICA.

HIGH COMMISSIONER SIR ALFRED MILNER to MR. CHAMBERLAIN

(No. 828.)

SIR,

صحية

(Received December 26, 1899.)

Government House, Cape Town, December 6, 1899.

I HAVE the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of the undermentioned documents on the subject of the arrival in South Africa of Colonial contingents.

I have, &c.,

A. MILNER,

Governor and High Commissioner.

13

Enclosure 1 in No. 40.

From the HIGH COMMISSIONER, Cape Town, to LORD BRASSEY, Governor of Victoria, Australia.

TELEGRAM.

28th November, 1899. Have great pleasure in informing you Victorian contin- gent in best health and spirits. Have just inspected them. Men looking splendid, and horses, despite long voyage, wonderfully well. All anxious to go to front at once, and join fellow-soldiers from the old country in the biggest struggle which we have had for many years.

British South Africa deeply grateful for sympathy and help of Australia.

Enclosure 2 in No. 40.

From the HIGH COMMISSIONER, Cape Town, to LORD TENNYSON, Governor of South Australia, Adelaide,

TELEGRAM.

28th November, 1899. Congratulate you on South Australian contingent, which I have just inspected. Men all well and in best of spirits, and delighted to find they are to go to the front without delay. South African British, in their life and death struggle for equal rights, deeply appreciate sympathy of Australians, manifested in so striking and effective a way. We are having an awful fight of it, but we mean to win.

Enclosure 3 in No. 40.

From the HIGH COMMISSIONER, Cape Town, to the GOVERNOR OF Tasmania.

TELEGRAM.

28th November, 1899. Glad to inform you Tasmanian contingent safely arrived. Men all fit and keen for active service. Had the pleasure of inspecting them to-day. Military authorities have determined to send them to front at once, at which all de- lighted. As you know, we are having a tremendous fight of it, but united Empire bound to win.

Enclosure 4 in No. 40.

From the HIGH COMMISSIONER, Cape Town, to the GOVERNOR OF WESTERN Australia, L'erth.

TELEGRAM.

28th November, 1899. Just returned from visit to Australian contingent now encamped few miles from Cape Town. West Australians splendid-looking set of men, extremely fit and keen for active service. Contingent going to front immediately, at which all delighted.

7

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

SCHEDULE OF ENCLOSURES.

1. 28th November, 1899. To Governor, Victoria. Telegram.

2

"

4.

37

5.

6.

DJ

**

"

"

19

S. Australia. Telegram. Tasmania. Telegram

""

Western Australia. Telegram.

1st December, 1899. To Governor-General Canada. Telegram.

From Governor, South Australia. Telegram.

Enclosure 5 in No. 40.

From the HIGH COMMISSIONER, Cape Town, to LORD MINTO, Governor-General of Canada, Ottawa.

TELEGRAM.

1st December, 1899. Just said good-bye to Canadian contingent. All well- and delighted to be going to front. People here showed in unmistakeable manner appre- ciation of sympathy and help of Canada in their hour of trial.

Private Drummond is going on Methuen's staff.

• No. 21.

† No. 14, -

† No. 15.