CO885-24 — Page 113

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :---

LICO. 885

mummilm

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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3. The unusual activity displayed, especially in the King's African Rifles, in giving effect to these measures, was the cause of some speculation, if not uneasi- ness, on the part of the natives, and rumours of a native rising as the cause were current, but prompt steps were taken, through the Residents of districts, to dispel this idea and to keep the people quiet.

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4. A review of our position enabled me, in my cipher telegram of the 4th of August, to acquaint you with the state of the military forces here and of our armament; also with the fact that, from want of ammunition, it seemed prob- able that the "Guendolen might not be able to obtain command of the lake as contemplated in the Defence Scheme. I have since been in communication with the Resident Commissioner, Salisbury, the High Commissioner, South Africa, and the naval authorities at the Cape, with a view to obtaining, if possible, mountain, field, or naval guns, but they have expressed themselves unable to assist.

5. As stated in my telegram of the 4th of August, I deemed it advisable to strengthen our forces by enlisting retired soldiers who had served with the King's African Rifles, and who were willing to join. Before closing this despatch I will add particulars of the strength to date.

6 On the 5th of August, at 4 a.m., I received your telegram notifying that war had broken out with Germany. This I communicated as quickly as possible to the Officer Commanding the Troops, and it was decided that an immediate move of the available force should be made to Fort Johnston at the south end of the Lake. The proclamations indicated in the Defence Scheme were issued at once: (1) notifying the existence of hostilities and the placing of the King's African Rifles and the King's African Rifles Reserve upon active service; (2) prohibiting the exportation from the Protectorate of all arms, ammunition, military or naval stores, any articles capable of being converted into or made useful in increasing the quantity of military or naval stores, petrol, and provisions, or any sort of victual which might be used as food by man. A copy of the Extraordinary Gazette* containing them is attached.

7. This was followed the next day by the publication of the King's Procla mations* (copy attached) referred to in your telegrams of 8th of August.

8. With regard to your telegrams of the 7th, 8th, and 9th of August, touching the treatment of German officers and naval and military reservists, I had already, on the 6th of August, issued instructions requiring all Germans to give their written parole, under pain of arrest, not to attempt to leave the Pro- tectorate without my permission, nor to aid the enemy by information or action, directly or indirectly. They were clearly warned that anyone breaking his parole would be arrested, and directions were given for them to be carefully watched. On receipt of your telegrams above referred to further and more particular instruc- tions were issued for dealing with officers and reservists as prisoners of war. has not been found necessary to make any arrests.

It

9. Acting on the advice of the Officer Commanding the Troops, I have not deemed it necessary to call out the Volunteer Reserve, but much has been done to prepare the various sections, and many have joined who had previously held aloof. 10. It has been necessary for Captain Barton, as Officer Commanding the Troops, to relinquish his control of the Volunteer Reserve, and I have availed myself of the services of Mr. C. Thorburn and the Honourable A. L. Bruce, resi- dent planters and retired army officers, the former as Commanding Officer, the latter as second in command, when the Volunteers are called out, and they are now rendering valuable assistance in the preparations for mobilization. Mr. Wright, the Paymaster, King's African Rifles, who, on physical grounds, remains bebind to take charge in Zomba. I have appointed Organizing Secretary of the Volunteer Reserve

11. I cannot speak too eulogistically of the manner in which the Europeans on all sides have come forward to join the Volunteers and otherwise proffer their services or assistance. Several have joined the field force with their own motor cycles as despatch riders, and have been most useful in communicating with out- lying districts not in telegraphic communication. A flying column of volunteers who have had previous military training is being formed by Mr. Hayter, with

Not reprinted.

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their own motor cycles, for service with the field force.

In addition many Indians in the Protectorate have proffered their assistance, and Messrs. Thorburn and Bruce are considering in what manner their services can be best utilized.

12. On the 3rd of August I called, at Government House, a meeting of the members of the Executive Council present in Zomba and the leading military authorities, when the position was very fully discussed. It was then decided to concentrate all troops at the southern end of the Lake; but that, in view of our deficiency in field guns, the want of ammunition for such guns as we had, and lack of training of a large number of recruits in the King's African Rifles, it would not be possible to make a move forward to the northern frontier, or attempt to engage the enemy, until at any rate the German gunboat "Hermann Von Wissman "had been disposed of, and we were in command of the Lake and its communications.

13. The latest information we had of the "Hermann Von Wissman " was to the effect that in July she was on the stocks at Sphinxhaven undergoing exten- sive repairs to her hull and awaiting plates which were being transported over- land from Dar-es-salaam. As no further information could be obtained respecting her, the Government gunboat "Guendolen left on the morning of the 8th to make a reconnaissance.

The following accompanied her: Captain Rhoades (in command); Captain Collins (Royal Field Artillery), King's African Rifles; Cap- tain Caldecott (Royal Garrison Artillery), Aide-de-Camp; Mr. Beaumont, Local Lieutenant, King's African Rifles; three volunteers, Messrs. Green, Cunningham, and McCrate of the Volunteer Reserve; Dr. Sanderson, and twenty-five Atongas of the King's African Rifles Reserve. The "Guendolen" will proceed with caution, and instructions have been issued for her not to risk an encounter which might prove disastrous to her, but if it is ascertained that the "Wissman " is still undergoing repairs endeavours will be made to put her out of service, unless Sphinx- haven is found to be strongly defended.

14. On the departure of the field force it seemed to me desirable that a civil officer of some standing should be attached to it in a political capacity, and, as Mr. Duff, Chief Secretary, volunteered, I detailed him for this service. He has a good knowledge of German and will be in a position to communicate with the enemy if it becomes necessary to do so. He will also, in his superior capacity. be able to give orders in respect of many minor civil matters arising out of the operations without previous reference to me by the Officer Commanding the Troops, and I have given him authority accordingly.

We have,

15. Until the morning of the 12th we had little or no news of mobilization or movement of German troops in German East Africa. On that date, however, our native spies brought in news that a strong force of the enemy had been des- patched from Neu Langenburg to Mwaya, their port at the north end of the Lake; a movement corresponding with that taken by us at the south end. however, detained all steam vessels of capacity at Fort Johnston, viz., the "Queen Victoria," 195 tona. belonging to the African Lakes Corporation; the

"Chaun- cey Maples," 214 tons, of the Universities Mission; and the "Adventure," 75 tons. a sister ship to the Government vessel "Pioneer," belonging to Mr. Boardman, who trades in Portuguese Nyasaland. So far as I am aware the Germans have no means available for the water transit of any considerable number of men.

Wissman

I have, &c.,

G. SMITH,

Governor.

"

P.S.-At the last moment I am happy to be able to add that the "Guendolen has been quite successful in her reconnaissance. She found the "Hermann Von in Sphinxhaven quite unprepared and her staff ignorant of the fact that war had broken out. Her engines and guns, with their mountings, have been removed, and the master, engineer, and four Indian mechanics have been embarked on the "Guendolen We are now in command of the Lake and have all steam vessels under our control.--G.S.

P

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