CO885-24 — Page 142

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE Reference :-

TTILLICO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

266

UGANDA.

25. With the exception of the tribes of the Kigezi District, whose behaviour has been dealt with above, the attitude of the native population has been most loyal and gratifying. They have cheerfully met with the heavy demands made upon them to supply carriers for military transport, both in Uganda and the East Africa Pro- tectorate. Over 3,500 carriers have been recruited for service in East Africa, and more than 6,000 for duty on the southern frontier in Uganda. Of these numbers some 1,600 were enlisted in the Eastern Province, and the rest have been obtained in Buganda, Bunyoro, and the Western Province. In addition, the regular supply for the public works has been fairly well maintained, and there has been no very serious interruption of works in progress. The brunt of the situation has fallen upon the Baganda, whose loyal attitude has already been brought to your notice. Upon the outbreak of war the chiefs estimated that a force of about 31,000 spearmen could be collected in six days. As previously stated, three contingents of 1,000 each were mobilized and held in readiness, and arrangements were completed for the further mobilization of 14,000 men if required. The levies have now been disbanded, except in Masaka District, where some 300 are employed for scouting and intelligence purposes. These are armed with M.-H. rifles. I think there is little doubt but that reports of the mobilization of large forces of Baganda and of their loyal attitude found their way into German East Africa, and were probably effective in preventing incursions into our territory by raiding parties, as the enemy must have been well aware of the depleted state of our military forces.

26.

I take the opportunity to refer to the enthusiastic assistance which has been rendered to the Government by the European population. Practically every able-bodied man within reach of the main centres has been enrolled in the Volunteer Corps, and a number of non-official residents are serving with the forces on the southern frontier as despatch riders, scouts, transport officers, and in various other capacities. It has not been possible to permit many Government officers to under- take active duties with the forces as their services were required for departmental duties, and there is no means of replacing them, and the majority of the Europeans, outside the regular military and police establishments and the Medical Service, who are serving with the forces are non-official residents. I have already referred to the valuable assistance rendered by the mission societies to the Medical Service, and I may add here that most of the ladies resident in the Protectorate have been through courses of instruction in first aid and nursing, and have offered their services should additional assistance be required at the base hospitals. The Asiatic community has also given evidence of its loyalty towards and support of the British cause. Indian company of the Volunteer Corps has been formed, and was quickly filled up, and sincere expressions of loyalty have been received from representatives of all classes.

An

27. It is as yet too soon to gauge the effect of the war on the trade and finances of the Protectorate. Trade generally has been considerably affected, and this must no doubt react on the revenue, but as yet no appreciable diminution has been observed, and it is hoped that the estimated amount may be reached. The cotton industry, however. is in a serious position, and, unless measures can be devised to finance the purchase of the crop, the industry will receive a very serious sot-back, and the Protectorate revenue will suffer considerably. The position of the cotton trade has formed the subject of separate correspondence. Apart from this no special financial measures seem likely to be necessary to meet the ordinary expenditure of the year.

28. In conclusion, I desire to place on record and bring to your notice my sense of the tact and ability displayed by Mr. H. R. Wallis, C.M.G., the Acting Governor, and the untiring zeal and efficient help rendered by the Acting Chief Secretary, Mr. E. B. Jarvis, and the entire staff of the Secretariat, in a time of considerable anxiety: also to call attention to the valuable services rendered by His Honour Mr. W. M. Carter. Chief Justice, as President of the Supplies Board. The services of Captain E. H. T. Lawrence, Acting Commissioner of Police, have already been referred to.

29. Finally, I have to express my appreciation of the ready assistance ren- dered by His Highness. Lieutenant Daudi Chua, Kabaka of Buganda, whose influence during the crisis has been invaluable.

40777

267

WESTERN PACIFIC.

No. 101.

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 21st October, 1914.)

(Secret.)

Office of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, SIR,

Suva, Fiji, 18th August, 1914. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you, for your information, copies of the letters and telegrams which were despatched to the Resident Commissioners of the Protectorates under the High Commission and to the Agent and Consul at Tonga, on the receipt of your cipher telegram of the 5th instant announcing the outbreak. of war with Germany.

2. The telegram sent to Fanning Island was acknowledged by the Deputy Commissioner on the same day that it was despatched.

3. The telegram to the Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands will probably reach Ocean Island about the 28th instant, and that to the Resident Commissioner of the Solomon Islands should arrive at Tulagi about the 16th instant.

4. The telegram to the New Hebrides should have reached Vila about the 12th instant, but an acknowledgment of it cannot be received for some time yet.

5. I am unable to state, even approximately, when the letters to the Resident Commissioners, which were despatched on the 12th instant, will reach their respective destinations, and no opportunity has occurred yet of communicating with Tonga.

I have, &c.,

BICKHAM ESCOTT,

High Commissioner.

Enclosure 1 in No. 101.

TELEGRAM TO HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, Fanning

Deputy Commissioner,

Fanning Island.

Island, 5th August, 1914.

SEE preface Defence Scheme, war has broken out with Germany.-EscorтT.

Enclosure 2 in No. 101.

PARAPHRASE Of Telegram TO HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, NEW HEBRIDES, 6TH AUGUST, 1914. British Resident,

Vila, post Norfolk Island.

THE following telegram has been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies:--

-ESCOTT.

Resident,

"War with Germany has broken out."

Enclosure 3 in No. 101.

TELEGRAM TO HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S RESIDENT COMMISSIONER, SOLOMON ISLANDS, 7TH AUGUST, 1914.

Tulagi, post Sydney.

5TH AUGUST. The following telegram has been received from the Secretary

of State for the Colonies

"War has broken out with Government of Germany'

"J

all possible steps should be taken to protect supplies and for detention of enemy merchant ships and for preventing British ships clearing for enemy ports; letter follows.-Escort.

I have, &c..

F. J. JACKSON,

Governor,