On January 5, 1909, May delivered Selborne’s message to the Bangwato, in which he added the words “but it is quite possible, in fact practically certain that the time will come in the future that it will be in the welfare of all concerned that the Imperial government should no longer directly govern the Bechuanaland Protectorate.”
In a brief speech, Khama reportedly replied that his people were quite satisfied with living under the Imperial government and he hoped they would not be handed over to any South African government. May further reported to Selborne that: “I asked Khama if he wished to send a written communication to Your Excellency, but he said ‘No,’ and that he would be quite satisfied if I informed you of what he said.”