The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-08-27 00:00:00

THE RELEASE OF CETYWAYO:

On the above subject The Times has published the follow-
ing letter :

Sir,—The agitation that is being fostered in certain
quarters to bring about the release of the deposed
Zulu King Cetywayo, is assuming a character suffi-
ciently grave to call for an earnest protest on the
part of those who have at heart the interest of peace,
order and civilization in South Africa.

I do not desire in any way to impugn the sincerity
and good faith of these gentlemen who have been led
to regard Cetywayo as the unfortunate victim of an
unrighteous policy. Throughout Natal, the country
most immediately affected, that policy—l mean Sir
Bartle Frere's policy—is still, as ever, believed to have
been dictated by a wise, far-sighted, and just com-
prehension of local needs and circumstances. Upon
that question, however, the colonists, who have
the best opportunities of forming a sound judg-
ment, must be content to remain at issue with those
of their countrymen at home who are unable to regard
the situation from the standpoint of local experience
and observation. I merely wish to state what, in the
opinion of persons who have such experience and such
means of observation, would be the probable effect
were Cetywayo restored to his land and people, or
were he brought within easy reach of them.
Prior to the late unfortunate war on the Transvaal
border, the Queen's Government had won for itself a
position of commanding influence among the native
races of South-East Africa. Convinced of England's
military superiority, by successive defeats in the field,
they were no less persuaded by experience of the
justice and beneficence of her rule. This fabric of
confidence and respect has been rudely shattered.
The events at Laing 's Nek are discussed in every
native kraal. They bear but one construction in the
native mind. In Natal our ever loyal natives openly
say that the British soldier has been beaten by the
Boer. But I will not enlarge upon this unpleasing
side of the subject.
It cannot be doubted that British prestige in Zulu-
land has been seriously weakened by affairs in the
Transvaal. Sitimela's outbreak is the first pronounced
evidence of this. Were Cetywayo to be sent back to
Zululand, or even to Natal, the fact would assuredly
be accepted by both the Zulus and the natives of Natal
as a further proof of purposeless weakness and vacil-
lation. Accustomed through three generations to the
despotic rule of a King, the Zulus crave for a central
authority. They would fain see the British resident
clothed with potential functions. Were the late
king sent back to them, or placed within reach and
sight of them, their attachment to and belief in him
would rapidly focalize, and he would soon become the
rallying point of native turbulence and disaffection.
It is the opinion of men who know the natives best
that the release or restoration of Cetywayo would
mean further war and bloodshed at no distant date.
Is England prepared to face these contingencies? The
responsibility would be clearly hers. The colonists
have already spoken their mind on the subject. It
may not be generally known that on the 30th of
November last the Legislative Council of Natal
adopted the following resolution :

"That in the opinion of this House the continued
detention at Cape Town, or elsewhere beyond the sea,
of the late Zulu King Cetywayo is essential to the
peace of South Africa and the maintenance of peace
and order among the Zulu people; and it strongly
protests against any proposal for the return of the ex
king, as being certain to defeat the objects which Her
Majesty's Government have had in view in dealing
with Zululand—namely, the permanent pacification
of that country, and the removal of a source of danger
and menace to the whole of South Africa; and further,
that this House, on the part of the colony, repudiates
all responsibility for whatever may be the consequences
of such a policy, should it, unfortunately, be seriously
contemplated."

Happily, Lord Kimberley lost little time in setting
at rest any immediate doubt upon the question by
plainly intimating that it was not intended by his
Government to take the fatal step for which so many
intelligent people are now clamouring. May we
hope that he will not be moved from that wise
resolve by deference to considerations of misplaced
sentiment? No colonist wishes ill to Cetyweyo.
None grudge him the surroundings of a comfortable
and even luxurious exile. All that we ask is that he
shall be kept out of harm's way—harm to himself
and to his people, no less than to ourselves. The re-
moval of Langalibalele from Natal has, I firmly
believe, in common with my fellow-colonists, been the
means of keeping peace in that colony during three
years of disturbance elsewhere. Surely this condition
of peacefulness and order is one which should not
lightly be interfered with or imperilled.—Your
obedient servant, JOHN ROT3INSON,
Member of the Legislative Council of Natal.
85, Jermyn-street, London, Aug. 19.