A.—2

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Lord Landsdowne would also submit, for transmission to the proper quarters, such information as may assist in the organization of the troops thus offered into units suitable to the military requirements of the situation. Such requirements and the conditions necessary to fill them can best be indicated in outline, leaving details for further consideration and arrangement. Organization and Arms. 1. The troops should be organized into units of about 125 men. 2. The units may consist of either infantry, mounted infantry, or cavalry. In view of the numbers of these arms already available, infantry will be most and cavalry of least service. 3. All should be armed with '303 rifles or carbines. 4. All troops must provide their own equipment and mounted troops their own horses. 5. Not more than one captain and three subalterns should accompany each unit. Where more than one unit is despatched from a single colony the whole force from that colony may be commanded by a major; but no officer of higher rank should be despatched. Total Numbers that can be employed. In considering this question Lord Lansdowne has been guided by the nature of the offers already made by the colonies, by a desire that each should be fairly represented, and by the limits which must necessarily be imposed on such a force if it is to be fully utilised under the staff at our disposal as an integral portion of Her Majesty's Forces in South Africa. The Governments of two colonies—namely, of Queensland and of New Zealand—have offered respectively 250 and 200 men. Lord Lansdowne accepts these offers with gratitude, and, in accordance with the requirements of organization already outlined, suggests that they should be organized in each case into companies of 125 and 100 men respectively. So far there have been no offers from the Governments of other colonies, but Lord Lansdowne has been given to understand that 1,260 men are anxious to volunteer from New South Wales alone, 1,000 from Victoria, about 300 from South Australia, 50 from Hongkong, and 300 from the Malay States. Lord Lansdowne does not see his way to accepting the offers from Hongkong and the Malay States, but from New South Wales and Victoria he would be glad to accept from each colony two units of 125 men each, and from South Australia one unit of 125 men. From Canada no definite offer has as yet reached Lord Lansdowne, but he understands that 1,200 men are anxious to volunteer. From Canada Lord Lansdowne would be glad to accept four units of 125 men each. If these suggestions are accepted the numbers would be : — From Queensland ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 „ New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 „ New South Wales... ... ... ... ... ... 250 Victoria ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 „ South Australia ... ... ... ... ... . . 125 „ Canada ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 1,575 Conditions of Pay, Pension, Transport, <$c. Whilst noting the generous offer by the Government of New Zealand to furnish pay in addition to transport, Lord Lansdowne is of opinion that the same conditions should be applied in the case of each colony, viz: Every colonial Force to be landed at the port of debarkation in South Africa, fully equipped at the cost of the Colonial Government or other body furnishing the Force ; the Imperial Government to provide from that date pay at Imperial rates, supplies, and ammunition, and to defray the cost of transport back to the colony when the services of the Force are no longer required. Wound pensions and compassionate allowances to be paid by the Imperial Government at Imperial rates. Date of Embarkation and Provisional Destination. All such Forces should, if possible, embark not later than the 31st October, and should proceed directly to Capetown for orders. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. E. H. Knox.

No. 23. (General.) My Lord,— Downing Street, 12th October, 1899. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office containing correspondence respecting a festival to be held in the summer of next year at Berne, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Postal Union; and, with reference to the second paragraph, I have to request that you will inform me at your earliest convenience whether your Government would propose to be represented either directly or indirectly at the festival. I have, &c, J. CHAMBEELAIN. Governor the Eight Hon. the Earl of Eanfurly, &c.