Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-12
The Matahele War.

The war in progress in Matabeleland Is,
so far as the British South Africa Com
pany IS concerned, n war for race SUI
premacy and gold, and I'm most Of lts
phases simply presents another illustra-
ton Of history's repeating itself. Although
King I.obengula made demands the COM
pany was, in the name Of humanity
fully justified IN refusing. and in conse-
quence of the company's refusal Initiated
hostnties. he merely precipitated the in
evltable This Will be apparent to all
who are familiar with the story Of Brit
ish territorial expansion in South Africa,
and will take the trouble to study the
geographical factors that enter into the
present situation.
Matabeleland, the scene OF the con-
nict. covers an area larger than Germany
and for many reasons IS to the British
one Of the mose desirable countries IN
South Central Africa. 1t IS, approximate
Is speaking, the gap between the British
spheres Of influence in Central and south
Africa. To the north, and separated
from II by n narrow strip Of Portuguese
territory. is the Zambezl river, upon Thich
the British keep constantly plying two
glinboats. on the south are Transyaal
and British Bechuanaland, stretching away
10 the frontier OF Cape Colony. To the
west. and between Matabeleland and the
German possessions, is that part OF
Bechuanaland known as the country OF
chief Khama, the British ally and 10
the cast are the Portuguese coast possess
sions bordering the South Indian ocean
Through this latter territory, however
the British have the right 81 entry TO
NIashonaland via the port OF Bcira, much
Of the distance being covered by railway.
They have also a thousand miles Of
railway extending from Cape Town north
ward, and from the northern terminus OF
! this system thu field OF their operations
is reached by wagon road.
Nfashonaland. which IS in part embraced
in the area held by the British South
African Company under lease from or
bv agreement with Lobengula, II an eN-
ceedluely rich country az well in respect
of the products O. field and forest as in
gold. In three years the company has
done more to develop It than the Por-
uguese have done during the three CEN
turtles they have dominated It's approaches
| from the coast. The Mashonas. whom the
| Natabeles regard "a their legitimate prey
whenever they need slaves or take no
ton 10 murder for the sake Of murder
ing are a very docile people, and have
1 ..rv.r4 .
| canacitv OF laborers. The Matabeles, on
the other hand, are among the most
blood thirsty Of the African tribesmen'
Raclally they are a mixture OF the Hulus'
who conquered the country and the tribes
who were conquered. They live by muir
der and raplne, and It was resistance on
the part of the British South africa
| COMPANY 70 their claim to the right 10
raid the Mashonas that was the lnme-
data cause OF the war. Lobengula
mower Is absolute, and his turbulence
| makes him a terror not only TO SURROUND
ing tribes but to such of his own people
"a may become rich or influential enough
TO excite his cupidity or his suspicion
| Az profitable as are the present terri
torial holdings Of the company the NIL
country OF the Matabeles promises 70
nroye still more profitable. Explorers
| reuresent the climate "a delightful ami
| healthy. the soil as fertile, AMI the pas
turs lands as exceptionally hne. But
| still greater attraction lies in the fact
that the gold reefs OF the Matabele mis-
are now said to be the richest on the
Dark Continent. When this Is considered
in connection with Great Britain's coloni-
cation policy in general. and her South
| African policy in particular, It VIII be
readily recognized how well Lobensula
has played into the hands OF the BRUSH
As to the end. 1t follows that the Mata-
beles will be either completely sub
tugated or annihilated. Lobengula' II
Is stated, can muster between
900 and 1900 warriors, but against
these the company can bring from
| 100 10 1000 Europeans and contingent
| OF 500 Bschuanas under Chief knalha'
The latter has the reputation Of being
one OF the most humane and enlightened
OF the African rulers. but the Bechuanas
and the Matabeles are hereditary toes'
and It may be depended upon that unless
I.obengula submits to British rule such
Of his warriors as are not moved down
by tho improved rides and machine-guns
Of the whites will be followed into the
bush and slain by the native auxiiiaries'
| Ths fighting that has taken place 50 far
would seem to show that Lobengula and
his impls stand not q ghost OF chance
against the columns OF the British ana
their allies, but even should the company
forces meet with reverses 1t Is evident
that tha British government Is prepared.
IL need be, TO see them through. Tha
matter has gone too far to can halt
this side Of complete triumph. Even
Mr.. Gladstone virtually admitted that
much when, in reply TO Labouchsre's at
tack on the company. he said that the
Ministers did not attempt to dissociate
themselves from the responsibilities Of
the war.