New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-11
fBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

ropyriQht. 1896. by The Tribune AssOci0ffOn.
London. Feb 1O.--The departure to-day of the
pieht Hon Cecil Rhodes. ex-Premier of Cape
Colony. for South Africa. by way Of Egypt. Is ex
nained By the rumored consent of President Kru-
cor 10 visit England In order to confer with Mr.
chamberlain. Mr.. Rhodes did not come TO Lon
don on the invitation of Mr. Chamberlain but in
response to an urgent summons from the Char
tered Company. of which he was the real head
While he was at Mr.. Chamberlain seems to
have made overtures to President KRUGER through
Sir Hercules Robinson. and had arranged
conference In London ;or the discussion of the
Transvaal affairs.
When Cecil Rhodes arrived Mr. Chamberlain
was ready for him. and the great South African
leader. who had never before found master in
the Colonial Office. was virtually ordered back to
Rhodesia What was said during the two hours
interview is not known but Mr.. Rhodes's sudden
exit taken in connection with the invitation
which President Kriiger apparently has ac-
cepted. explains everything. Mr.. Rhodes was
probably told that President Kruger was coming
and that ne himself de trop, since his con-
timed presence ir London would create sus-
picon IN the Transvaal.
Mr. Chamberlain haG written n mastery dis
match before Mr. Rhodes arrived and had opened
the way for a settlement of all questions at
issue in South Africa Ly direct conference
with Krtger. Rhodes. as the arch enemy
of Kriiger was. in these circumstances. persona
non grata with the Colonial Office. 1t was
case Of diamond cut diamond, but the Brming-
ham-worked jewel was sharper and harder than
the South African brilant. Mr.. Rhodes bowed
himself out Of the Colonial Office, and he has
started to-day for Rhodesia after a six-days stay
In England.
Mr.. Chamberlain has not only worsted Rhodes
IN this encounter, but has also bahied the
leaders Of the Opposition. who were prepar-
ing TO assail the Chartered Company and
Jameson's raiders in Parliament. Everything
has been ingenously ordered for the purpose
OF shutting off all discussion. Krdger is With
ont doubt coming. and consequently DEBATE
will be inopportune. pending negotiations FOR
settlernen, of the Transvaal question. Ut.
Jameson and his companions are also coming
and pending the judicial investigation their
conduct and all discussion or charges against
tho Chartered Company would be premature
and injudcious; and 1t may be June peiore 'he
reou,site evidence can be obtained from South
Africa by the officials sent out to get IL. Inc
Ooposition cannot make immediate use OF the
rrorsvaal question ae Mr.. Chamberlain mas
ranared the whole affair so shrewdly tnat
hostile critics of the Chartered Company ana
Mr. Rhodes are disarmed for several months
It is good game OF practical politics anc' at
tine same time a statesmanl,ke performance
The Transvaal question is now taken com
pletely out of the hands of Germany ana th@
Emperor by the proposed conference with
Kriiger. AMI even Dr. Leyds. who has oee'i
Intriguing in Berlin In the Interest OF '"e
Transvaal Government. is coming to LONDON
In the mean while Rhodes has come anu
zone without speaking word In puoilc' III.
revealing in pantomme his consciousness oi
the superior resources and the mas'erIui a',"''
Of the Secretary for the Colonies l. ~