The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-10-24 00:00:00

_
SIR CHARLES WARREN'S
EXPEDITION.

Some official correspondence has been published on
the subject of the Transvaal and adjacent territories,
dating from April 22 to August 13 in the present
year. Much ot the matter consists of letters between
Sir Hercules Robinson and Sir Charles Warren con-
cerning the affairs of Stellaland and Bechuanaland.
Sir Charles Warren telegraphed to Sir H. Robinson
from Mafekeng on June 6 recommending that certain
claims of Stellalanders should be brought before a
Land Commission, and the high Commissioner re-
plied on June 16 approving of the suggestion. On
July 17 Sir Hercules Robinson telegraphed to Colonel
Stanley his scheme for the government of the
Bechuanaland protectorate. He advises that we
should confine ourselves for the present to preventing
that part of the Protectorate north of the Molopo
being occupied by either filibusters or foreign Powers,
doing as little in the way of administration
or settlement as possible. The chiefs might
be left to govern their own tribes in
their own fashion. He advises that the country
south of the Molopo should be declared British soil,
and commission as governor given to the Governor of
the Cape in the same form as the Zembuland Com-
mission, with like power of legislation by proclama-
tion. A mounted police force of 500 men would be
sufficient to defend the whole territory from attacks
of filibusters. He estimated the cost of the proposed
colony and protectorate, after deducting probable
revenue, as follows: First year, £130,000; second,
£52,500; third, £30,000, after which time the revenue
and expenditure probably might be made more nearly
to balance each other. On July 1, Sir Hercules Robin-
son forwarded a despatch from Sir Charles Warren,
urging the immediate appointment of a Land Com-
mission to investigate the titles of the Stellalanders,
as a positive injury was being done to the native
tribes by the existing inaction. This Sir H. Robinson
expressed his non-concurrence with, as a promise
having been made to recognise the Stellaland titles, a
Land Commission could not be appointed to investi-
gate them. On August 11 Colonel Stanley telegraphed
as follows to the High Commissioner: "Transmit
following telegram to Warren : It has been decided
to gradually withdraw troops lately engaged in your
expedition; High Commissioner and General Officer
commanding have been informed to this effect, Her
Majesty's Government do not contemplate arrange-
ments such as would make it desirable to retain
military officers of your high rank for purposes of
civil administration only, when force is dispersed.
You will receive instructions to return home when
your Staff is broken up. Her Majesty's Government
recognise fully the utility and success which have
marked militarfexpeeition, on which despatch follows
by mail." In a despatch to Sir Hercules Robinson
on the 13th August, Colonel Stanley stated that, in
accordance with his recommendation, the Queen's
protection would be proclaimed over Bechuanaland.
The annexed territory would comprise the ccuntry
bounded by the Transvaal to the eastward, by the
Cape Colony to the southward; by the Molopo river
to the westward, and to the northward by that river
to its junction with the Ramathlabana 4ruit, and
thence by that stream to the frontier of the Trans-
vaal. A commission would be issued enabling the
Governor of the Cape Colony to legislate for this
territory as in the case of Zembuland. Her
Majesty's Government were not prepared to entertain
the offer made by Khama to transfer the whole of
his territory, extending as far north as the Zambesi,
principally as it was unfit for settlement by white
men. A despatch is also enclosed to Colonel Warren,
of the same date, repeating the contents of the tele-
graphic despatch already sent, and acquainting him
that it had been decided to make arrangements re-
garding the territories north and south of the Molopo,
which would render it unnecessary that the office of
Special Commissioner should be continued, and re-
questing him to hand over to the High Commissioner
the duties which he had discharged. Her Majesty's
Government cordially recognised the great ability
with which Sir Charles had organised the irregular
forces, and the efficiency and good discipline which he
had maintained, the result being that his expedition
had met with no resistance from any quarter, and had
achieved its objects in the most satisfactory manners
Colonel Stanley, in conclusion, acknowledged the zeal
and ability with which Sir Charles had discharged his
important duties, and conveyed to him the high
appreciation of her Majesty's Government.

Young Featherly had. dropped in for an evening
call, and Bobby was enjoying the conveirsation and
leading the laughter. IncideAtally Bobby said, "Mr.
Featherly, can water burn ?" ' ND, Bobby," replied
Mr. Featherly, amused at the question, "but it can
be made very hot by boiling. What put that idea
into your head ?" "Ma told sister that there was uc
danger of sour ever gaffing the river on fire

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