CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9] — Page 104

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so far as I was aware been any prior negotiations with

China, and I admitted that I had not myself been fully

aware of all the circumstances now disclosed. In reference

to the pledge given I pointed out that new circumstances

had arisen owing to Dr. Schultz's interviews with the

Viceroy, and to the fact that I was not myself aware of

various statements which he said he had made verbally to

Mr. May.

11.

I suggested that the German

Minister in Peking should bring pressure to bear, and he

then told me that this had already been done without effect.

This transpired only at the end of the last interview,

and naturally strengthened my disinclination to become a

cat's-paw in the transaction. He hinted (somewhat ominously

I thought at the outcry which would take place in con-

-sequence of my refusal, on the part of the Germans in

Samoa and added that many of the estates were in English

hands. I said it made no difference at all to my decision

whether they were English or GermRI.

12.

Meanwhile in accordance with a

promise made at a former interview I had written to the

British Consul-General at Canton informing him of the

request made by the Germans and asking him to ascertain

whether