Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-28
New Light on the South Africa Com
pany's Methods.
ALLEGED CRUELTY TOWARD NATIVES.
London Daily Papers Make Sharp
Comments.
STORIES TOLD BY SETTLERS.

Special Cable Dispatch to The Evening Star.
LONDON, Oct. 28.-The Matabele troubles
have assumed dual importance inasmuch as
not only the future of Matabeleland but the
future Of the South African Company itself
is now involved therein, owing to the light
thrown upon the company's proceedings and
history by an influential section Of the Eng
lish press
The Daily Chronicle leads the attack on
the company and is ably seconded by Henry
Labouchere in Truth. while the Daily News
does not spare 1t. The company is described
as bankrupt and its attempt to acquire
Matabeleland Is said to be the last card Of
desperate men. The Chronicle says that the
company has only one definite mining con-
cession and few vague agreements as the
basis OF their attempt to seize the country
at the expense Of the British taxpayer. 1t
dwells upon the manner in which the COM
pany was first doomed and describes Lord
Randolph Churchill as Its "tout-in-chief."
The floating OF the company, 1t adds, was
arranged privately with the aid of a few
dukes and other aristocrats. and when the
shares went to enormous premium as the re-
suit OF Churchills expedition to Mashona-
land. the profits went into the pockets of
the allottees. The company itself gained no
profit thereby and eventually exhausted its
million of capital with practically no return
The story of the atrocities which the COM
pany's forces are declared to have commit
TED In order to force the Matabeles into war
excites. however. even more attention than
the review OF. the seamy side of the COM
panys promotion and its present financial
position.
Stories Told by CoIOnists.
The settler Davis version Of the so-call-
ed Matabele raid, although officially de-
clared to be incorrect, is supported by
coionist's letters to MIR. Labouchere. The
writer maintains that the Matabele were
simply massacred. Between twenty-five
and thirty were killed. and in his own
words: 1T was like buck shooting. for the
poor devils took to their heels and We gal
loped up and shot them down point blank"
If the statement Of another settler can
be relied upon, such a slaughter would
create little surprise as the writer describes
the company's men as having been recruit
ed at johannesburg. and as the sweepings
OF the town and the police courts. a more
degraded lot could scarcely be imagined.
The Chronicle. in its comments, says that
Cecil Rhodes made great point when he
recently asserted that the civil population
was going to the front without pay, but the
class OF recruits just described will be un-
likely to fight for nothing. and IT now ap-
pears that 1t was stipulated that al loot
should be equally divided between the COM
pany and the men, the latter each receiv-
ing also Matabele farm Of 5000 acres.
pioneer rights and twenty gold claims in
Matabele land.
The staying of Matabele's envoys In
Col. Gould Adams camp Is severely COM
mented upon, as the official explanations
are decidedly unsatisfactory.
The Daily News today says that Sir Hen
ry Lochs account Is a wretchedly unsatis-
factory story. 1t may wear another aspect
when the details arrive. but 1t seems a
sickening business as II stands. 1t does not
stand alone. Where is the dark story of
the wholesale destruction Of the helpless
creatures forming the tail-end Of the inpi?
We want more daylight on the whole busi-
ness.
Justice to LObenEula.
An interview is published today with
Charles Rudd, the originator Of the famous
Rudd mining concessions obtained from
Lobengula five years ago. and since acquir-
ed by the chartered company. He declares
that Lobengula is not so black as he has
been painted. He himself found Lobengula
genuinely friendly. and he was a just magis-
trate among his own people. His cruelty is
only a national trait. His feelings toward
whites were evidenced when three regi-
ments danced before him, demanding to be
allowed to kill Rudd and his friends.
Lobengula refused saying. They are my
guests"
The Chronicle today promises early reve-
lations regarding Rhodes financial schemes
1t says that the dissolving panorama of
Rhodes companies, with Rhodes and his
confederates behind. has reached a point
where 1t Is necessary to concentrate serious
attention.
Regarding the inquiry which Sir Henry
Loeb promises to make into, the staying OF
Lobengula's ENJOYS, the Chronicle says Ii
would have more confidence in the inquiry
II Rhodes creatures We're kept at arms
length. In the meantime the war should be
stopped.
Other newspapers comment in a similar
strain, and when parliament reassembles
1t is understood that 1t will be asked to
appoint a commission to investigate the
whole affair.