CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912 — Page 129

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Under the circumstances existing at the time

in South Chins General Anderson was obviously not in a position to guarantee either of the above conditions, while the Naval Commander-in-Chief was through the agency of the fleet better able to do so.

4. I am to add that while the Council thoroughly approve of the action taken by the General Officer Commanding in South China for the better security of the Shameen at Canton, they consider that the position of divided responsibility commented upon by Sir Frederick Lugard is unavoidable under the circumstances. They also hold that the security, both of the settlement s which the troops have been detached to protect, and of the detachments themselves, is better provided for under

naval responsibility and command, than if the detachments were nominally under the command of a

General Officer

Officer, who, in circumstances readily

conceivable, might be neither in communication with them nor able to reinforce or withdraw them without naval

assistance.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

PM Brade