CO885-24 — Page 99

181'

JAMAICA.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

པ།

Reference :-

mmimmmm C.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGENOT TO

In this connexion, I enclose a copy of my speech* at the meeting of the Legis- lative Council to authorize the gift and to take steps to finance the proposal.

The proposals submitted were accepted by the Council, one Elected Member only objecting to the reimposition of the 16 per cent, ad valorem duties except as a tax during the continuance of the war, though he did not vote against it.

12. A strict censorship has been established and thoroughly organized. For some time I took upon myself the duty of passing all Press telegrams, either for Jamaica or for places beyond Jamaica, with the view of preventing news of possible military value to the enemy being passed over the wires beyond Jamaica to places to which the Germans had access. The censorship staff have now, however, grasped the essentials of censorship and such news is censored in Jamaica.

13. The fact that Jamaica is in direct telegraphic communication with America, whence has emanated the most sensational news, either manufactured there or bearing the imprint of obvious German sources, necessitated, in the earlier stages of the war, very drastic censorship. I may mention that a telegram from New York purported to give the exact strength of the Expeditionary Force in bat- leries of artillery, regiments of cavalry and infantry, and this news was intended for places other than British in the West Indies.

14. There has been some indication of the existence of what I believe is termed spy fever," with the usual symptoms of the appearance of mysterious signal fires and other signals to hostile craft presumed to be off Jamaica, but examination of these cases has usually elicited very ordinary and self-explanatory origins of the alleged signals. In my opinion, there are no indications that there is any com- munication with the enemy from Jamaica, and since I understand that there are German merchant ships in shelter in almost every port of the coast of America, and that the wireless apparatus of these ships is intact, the means of passing accurate information obtained from all sources is not wanting and is, no doubt, fully made use of for the information of the German cruisers in these waters. There should be, therefore, little or no scope in Jamaica for useful espionage while such untrammelled means exist elsewhere.

15. The general trade prospect in regard to Jamaica products is certainly good, with the exception of pimento, largely exported to Germany and Austria, and coffee, which is likely to be affected if the large Brazilian stocks are freed. There may be some restriction of the exports of coco-nuts, due to the closing of the Hamburg markets, but as yet there is no evidence of this.

The sugar industry, which for the past year has suffered from declining prices, has received a very decided fillip by the conditions prevailing on the Continent affecting the manufacture of beet sugar. Prices ruling about eight pounds (£8) per ton up to August are now quoted at eighteen pounds (£18) to twenty pounds (£20) per ton, and consequently the sugar planters are looking forward to pros- perous times. The financial position of the sugar planter has not been, generally speaking, too sound, and it is to be hoped that the higher prices which may rule for some time now will enable him to build up a more satisfactory financial state.

In regard to rum, however, the manufacturers of high ether rum, the market for which commodity is in Germany, will, I am afraid, experience some hardship. I am given to understand, however, that there is the intention of ceasing the manu- facture of this article and reverting, where possible, to the manufacture of sugar during the period that high prices rule and until the markets for high ether rum are reopened.

18. I have endeavoured to explain that there must be expected some disloca- tion of the import trade due to a variety of causes, and there has been some evidence of shrinkage, but it would appear that already the uncertain conditions which pre- vailed at first are in course of removal, and it is likely that there will be a return to almost normal conditions, though this, it is alleged, is being retarded by the super- tax of 334 per cent. on freights by British shipping companies between Jamaica and England, it being remarkable that freights between Jamaica and the United States remain as they were before the outbreak of hostilities. This may have the effect of attracting to the United States more of the trade which has been increas- ing in volume in that direction during the past decade, to the further detriment of

* Not printed,

trade with Great Britain, and in this connexion I should mention that I under- stand that the ships of the United Fruit Company hitherto registered under the British flag have now transferred to the United States flag. I am of opinion that this manoeuvre is not due to fear of capture by hostile cruisers in West Indian waters or between the West Indies and the United States, since there has been little or no interference with ships in these waters, but I consider that the object is to capture some of the trade on the coast of South America, hitherto much in the hands of German steamship companies, and where there has been some considerable inter- ference with shipping by hostile cruisers. The neutral flag will be a protection in these waters.

17. General conditions in the island are not wholly satisfactory. There has been a very considerable shortage of rainfall in the northern parishes and much damage has been done to the fruit crop, and, unless the rains due this month and in November are general and average in amount, I am afraid that there will be some diminution in output. In other districts, notably in the Vere District of Claren- don and in parts of St. Elizabeth, there has been a very severe drought and con- ditions are precarious and may need some expenditure in relief works.

18. Though there has been some improvement lately in some parishes, the rainfall has been deficient in almost every parish, and a general, timely, and average rainy season in October and November is most necessary for the agricultural outlook.

18. I have insisted upon the [? most] rigorous economy in public expenditure and the suspension of all public works except those of urgent necessity until it has been possible to gauge the effects upon revenue of the outbreak of hostilities. The full effects of the war in Europe have not yet reached Jamaica, though a very consider- able falling off in import duties was observable during the month of September, due naturally to financial and trade conditions in Europe. I think, however, that there are already signs of improvement now that there is a clearer outlook as regards the import and export shipping trade and increasing confidence that interference with it is unlikely.

20. In regard to the people generally, there is a very excellent spirit abroad, and I can confidently assert that there is no more loyal Colony than that of Jamaica. The people are for the most part sufficiently educated to understand the reasons for the war and the immense issues involved, and are genuinely unanimous in their support of the Empire and of the Mother Country in its prosecution to a successful conclusion. Their gifts to the various funds being raised throughout the island for the relief of those affected in Great Britain by reason of the war is sufficient evidence, if none other were available, of their attachment to the Mother Country and of their appreciation of the benefits they derive as a part of the Empire. It is undoubtedly fortunate that opportunities are rare for the expressions of loyalty and devotion to the Empire such as the present occasion has called forth, but the depth of feeling and its unquestionable sincerity throughout this island is a revela- tion of the strong ties of affection for the Mother Country which only such a crisis as the present could evolve.

I have, &c.,

33214

SIR,

LEEWARD ISLANDS.

No. 78.

W. H. MANNING,

Governor

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 1st September, 1914.) (Confidential.)

Government House, 14th August, 1914.

I HAVE the honour to report that the news of the outbreak of war with Germany was received in this Colony with intense interest, but with calmness and self-possession.

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LEEWARD ISLANDS.