MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE. G.C.M.G
Télégraphie.
Fcbruary 10, 1885. — General Lauric and Colonel Williams' proposais to enrol and
command régiments Canadian Volunteers. Before further considering thèse offers Her
Majesty's Government wish to know whether they are sanctioned and recommended by
Oominion Government ; and if it should be possible to accept one only and not both.
which should hâve préférence.
Xo. 9
Governor the Rigrht Hon. LORD AUGUSTUS LOFTUS, G.C.B. (New Sonth Waleo) to the
Rigrht Hon. the EARL OF DERBY, K.G.
(Received February 12, 1885) Télégraphie.
Sutton Forest, February 12, 1885. — This Government offers Her Majesty's Government two batteries field artillery with one battalion of infantry to be transported by Orient steamer, and undertakes to land force at Suakim within thirty days after embarkatlon. I strongly urge that it may be accepted. Refusai will bc deeply felt in the Colony. Différence between Colonial pay is the only difficulty.
Xo. 10
Governor-General the Mon Hon. the MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, G.C.M.G.. to the Ri*ht
Hon. the EARL OF DERBY, K.G.
(Received )
Télégraphie.
February 12, 1885. -- Government rcady to sanction recruiting by Canada for service in Egypt or elsewherc. Force should be specially enrolled from différent parts of local battalions under Impérial Army Discipline Act. Lauric préférable to Williams. I would suggest brigade of three battalions (five hundred), each from marine provinces, Old Canada and Xorth-West. Lauric might command brigade and Williams one battalion. Melgund would like to serye as brigade-major ; ENTIRE COST WOULD FALL ON IMPERIAL EXCHEQUER.
No. 13 The AGENT-GENERAL FOR NEW SOUTH WALES to COLONIAL OFFICE.
5, Westminster Chambers,
Westminster, S.W.,
February 13, 1885.
Sir,
Referring to my letter of yesterday, in which I enclosed a copy of a telegram I had received from my Governnient, offering to Her Majesty's Government two batteries of artillery and five hundred (500) infantry for service in the Soudan, I bave the honour la transmit, for Lord Derby's information, a further message in relation to the propo-
(1) Correspondence respectinn offers by the Colonies of troops for service in the Soudan (C. 1324). — Accounts and Papers, 1884-85, Vol. LU, pages 569 et suiv.
sition of my ■Government, in which it is stated tliat they will defray ail cxpenses in connexion with their offer.
May I ask you to be so good as to cause this furthcr message to be made known to lier Majesty's Government immediately.
I havc, &c,
(Signed) SAUL SAMUEL.
The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
No. 17.
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Central Department, War Office,
February 14, 1885.
Sir,
In rcply to your lcttcr of the 13th instant, relative to the offer of the Government of New South Wales of two batteries of field artillery and a battalion of infantry for service in the Soudan, I am directed to acquaint you that the Marquis of Hartington considers that this offer should be accepted with much satisfaction, but that it should be understood that the force must be placed absolutely under the orders of the General Officer Commanding as to the duties on which it will be employed.
He is advised that the force of artillery proposed is more than could be usefully employed, and suggests therefore that it should be limited to one battery. The transport conveying the force should call at Aden for orders. Lord Hartington is further of opinion that the Government of New South Wales should be confidentially informed that the plans of the General Officer Commanding are not fully formed, and should not bc published, but that they may probably involve placing the troops in summer quarters after a short campaign from Suakim ; also that the main opérations against Khartoum may hâve to bc deferred until the autunin.
If, with this knowledge, the Colonial Government would prefer the immédiate despatch of the contingent, Her Majesty's Government would not désire to delay it.
I hâve, &c,
(Signed) RALPH THOMPSON.
The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
No. 21 WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE
War Office, February 10, 1885. Sir,
I hâve laid before the Secretary of State for War your letters of the 9th and 13th instant, and in reply I am directed by the Marquis of Hartington to inform you that he highly appréciâtes the feeling which lias prompted the Government of the Dominion of Canada to offer facilities for raisins a force for Impérial service at this juncture of affairs, but that the time which must necessarily elapse before such a force could be raised, organised, and equipped, renders it undesirablc to take advantage of the offer at the présent time.
The offer of the Government of New South Wales. which has been accepted by Her Majesty's Government, was to provide an organised force fully equipped and ready for immédiate service, and the Government of the Domiiïion will, no doubt, fully appreciate the différence between the two offers as regards the use which could be made of them by Her Majesty's Government, and will not, Lord Hartington feels sure, consider that in declining their patriotic offer for the présent, any unduc préférence has been given to the Colony of New South Wales.
It is anticlpated that the force already under orders will be sufficient for the military opérations which are to be immediately undeTtakcn, but if it should appear that they are likely to be extended and prolonged until next autumn, Lord Hartington would gladly take into considération the proposais which hâve been made by the Government of the Dominion of Canada.
In the meantine Lord Hartington would be glad lu be more fully informed of the gênerai scope and character of thèse proposais, including the rates of pay and othei conditions of service suggested.
I hâve, &c,
(Signed) KALPH THOMPSON.
The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
No. 35 The Riffht Hon. the EARL OF DERBY, K.G., to Governor-General the Most Hon. the MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, G.CM.G.
Télégraphie.
February 19, 1885. — Her Majesty's Government highly appreciate patriotic offer by Dominion Government with respect to force foreign service, but length of time before they could be embarked for active service is obstacle to immédiate avai'ling of it. New South Wales offer was fully armed and equipped force to sail imraediately, and Dominion Government will appreciate différence as regards use to which they could be put. Force under orders is considered sufficient at présent, but if opérations prolongea till autumn Her Majesty's Government would gladly take into considération offer. Meanwhile would be glad to know more fully character of proposais, including pay and other conditions service.
No. 40.
The Rifht Hon. the EARL OF DERBY, K.G., to Governor sir W. C. F. ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.,
(South Australia).
Télégraphie.
February 20, 1885. — Transmit following telegram to Governors : — Her Majesty's Government highly appreciate patriotic offers South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, with respect to force foreign service, but length of time before they could be embarked for active service is obstacle to immédiate availing of it. Offer by New South Wales was fully armed and equipped force to sail forthwith, and other Governments will appreciate différence as regards immédiate use. Force under orders is considered sufficient at présent, but if opérations prolongea till autumn Her Majesty's Government would gladly take into considération offer.
No. 46
The Riffht Hon. the EARL OF DERBY. K.G., to Governor-General the Most Hon. the
