January 29th, 1900:
Extract from a letter from Lord Strathcona to General Sir Evelyn Wood, G.C.B.:-
"The men and officers are of course volunteers, and they are not being raised under any Act of Parliament. The officers are nominated by the Militia authorities, and their names will be submitted to me for approval. I cannot, however, give them commissions, and I am a little doubtful what authority the officer will have over the men.
When the force arrives in South Africa they will be taken over as part of the Imperial Forces, and there will not be any difficulty, I presume, from that time. If you think there is anything that can be done to clothe the officers with some authority, and the men also with some responsibility before they arrive in South Africa, I should like to know. No doubt the officers will be given temporary commissions when they come under the supervision of the War Office.
January 29th. 1900:
Telegram from Lord Strathcona to Minister of Militia making it clear that the force to be recruited from British Columbia as well as Manitoba and the North West Territories.
