The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-08
Curious Features of the sIatabele Affair.

1t seems probable that one more battle
| will take place in Matabeleland. between
| the forces OF Lo BENGULA and the levies OF
| the South Africa Chartered Company con-
trolled by Mr.. CECIL RHODES. II the latter.
thanks to their machine guns. are sue
cessful in this final engagement, the ques-
lions will arise, What Is to be done with the
Matabeles2 What should be the terms OF
peace, and by whom are these to be settled ?
BY the South Africa Company, or by the
Colonial OfIice2 The complications which
these questions are likely to cause. should
be watched with interest by Canadian an
nexationists, for they may have direct
bearing on their projects.
1t Is contended by Mr.. LABoUcHERE and q
large and increasing section OF the Gladsto-
MANS not only that the terms Of peace should
be arranged by the Colonial ONCE. but that
these should be confined to making clear
line OF demarcation between Matabeeland
and Mashonaland, the former being left to
Lo BENaULA and the latter turned over to
the South Africa Company. At present. the
company occupies parts OF Mashonaland.
simply by virtue OF q concession from
the Matabele chief who did not renounce.
however. his traditional claim to levy trib-
uIS VI bhc NluSHohdS. hSOolaihS w AAA.
LABouCuERE. the fact that some Of the
Matabeles not long ago made one OF
their customary raids on the Mashonas
Is only pretext for the organized
invasion of Matabcleland by the Char
tered Company. Had it been other
than pretext. he says. Mr.. RHoDEs's
representatives would not have killed two
OF the ENJOYS sent by LO BENaUnA to
Sir HENRY LoCH. her Majesty's High Com
missioner, for the purpose OF averting hos
tilities and proposing terms OF accommoda-
ton. The true cause Of the invasion. Mr..
LABoUCHERE AYERS, is that the South
Africa Company is bankrupt and has no
hope OF retrieving its fortunes IL confined
to its original concession: for Mashonaland
has proved practically worthless for agri-
cultural uses. and its deposits OF gold are
not Of a character to repay working. On
the other hand. the situation of the company
would be revolutionized could 1t acquire
Matabeleland, which has an area as large
as that Of France and Is said to be the most
fertile country in South Africa. Moreover.
it Is richer in gold than even the Trans
vaal: near Bulawayo, for instance. is q
huge reef Of quartz. identical in forma-
ton with the famous banket" reef in
the Transvaal to whose enormous month
ly yield Of gold attention was recently
directed by The Sun. 1t is well under
stood that If the company could gain pos
session OF Matabeleland it would be in
position to replenish it's treasury by a
fresh issue OF shares and bonds. AS for the
owners OF the country. the company pro-
poses to dispossess them altogether by
driving them north OF the Zambesi and
leaving them there to prey upon the ma
tives OF that region. This plan is de-
nounced by Mr.. LABoUCHERE as q mon
strous iniquity; and he holds. doubtless
with reason. that it will never be carried
out If the Colonial Office does its duty and
insists that the terms OF peace shall be adj
justed by its agent. the High Commissioner.
Mr.. LABoUCHERE and his fellow Radicals
are receiving aid in this matter from an
unexpected quarter. One Of the weightiest
organs OF Unionist opinion. the London
Spectator, declares that the Colonial Office
cannot permit the South Africa Company
to dictate the final settlement Of the Mata-
belle affair. 1t points out that not even the
great East India Company was permitted.
after 1854. to make treaties with native
princes or to prescribe their terms. That
function was reserved to the home Govern
ment; and 1t must now. the Spectator insists.
be exercised by the Colonial Office unless a
degree OF independence is to be granted
to a chartered company which has never
been conceded to British colony. 1t main
tains that Unonist members Of Parliament
have no right to consider the question
whether Mr.. CECIL RHODES Is an ADLER man
To- I'D l,vs
local knowledge to decide what shall be
done with the Matabeles. The question at
issue Is n fundamental one. involving the
respective rights Of the British Parliament.
and Of its creature. a chartered company.
There is no doubt that the position taken
on this point by the Spectator. as we'll as by
Mr.. LABoUCHERE. Is a strong one; and
Lord RIPoN, in pursuance OF the same view
of his official duties. has telegraphed Sir
HENRY LoCH to take charge Of the negotia-
lions for final settlement. which will fol-
low the conclusion Of the war.
Here has arisen a complication which Is
OF interest to all British colonies. and es-
pecially to the friends OF Canadian indie
pendence or annexation. No sooner was
the order telegraphed by Lord RIPoN to Sir
HENRY LoCH made known at Cape Town,
than meeting OF the Africander Bund was
called. What is the Africander Bund 1t
Is political association which, for frmness
OF organization and power at the ballot
box. may be compared with what the Irish
Land League was at the height Of it's efil-
cheney. The Africander Bund Is composed
mainly. but not exclusively. OF citizens OF
Dutch descent. and 1t returns q largo ma
iorityof tho Colonial Legislature. At the
meeting to which we have referred. the
Bund resolved that. II any attempt was
made by Sir HENRY LoCH to supersede or
control Mr.. CECIL RHODES In the settle
ment OF the Matabele matter. it would.
through its representatives In the Cape
Legislature. repudlate the authority of the
Colonial Office. and elect Governor of the
Cape Colony. That is to say. the slender
tie which unites the Cape Colony to Great
Britain would be sundcred. and declara-
ton Of independence would be put forth.