Mr. DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken, if any, to improve the conditions of the Hereros and other natives living in the ex-German colonies in various parts of Africa; if it is intended to issue a report concerning the sufferings they underwent during the German rule; and how many names of offending German officers are included in the list of war criminals?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYIn reply to the first two parts of the question, my hon. Friend will find full information as to the sufferings of the native population of South West Africa under the German rule in Cd. 8371, Cd. 9146 and Cd. 9210. The two last-mentioned Papers also show the vast improvement which has taken place during the administration of the country by the Union authorities, and' the welfare of the native population will, of course, continue to be a chief preoccupation of the Union Government. As regards German East Africa, the Cameroons and Togoland, I would invite reference to Cd. 9210. The British spheres of these territories are being administered by British authorities as far as possible on the lines adopted in other British Protectorates in tropical Africa; and the fact that the natives appreciate the change is clear from the documents printed in that Paper. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that Article 228 of the Peace Treaty relates only to violations of the laws and customs of war, and does not apply, therefore, to matters of civil administration before or during the War.