, 1896-09-16
LSpcctator. Anaust StA.N

Spectator, august stu
The latest news from Rhodrsia is much
more satisfactory, and points to the begin
ming Of the end. It appears that on Wed
ne>day a column under Colonel PIumer
attacked a combined force Of five Matahele
impis in their stronghold IN the Matoppos,
and entirely defeated them, though mhappily
not without serious loss on ou' side, several
officers being among the KILLED and severely
wounded. The official kilograms rs yet are
meagre. but the special correspondent
Of the Daily Chronicle teIegraphs some inter
esting details. An a~dvanceguard under Cap.
tain Be- ssford WIS for two hours completely
surrounded by the enemy, but after Il most
gallant stand they were relieved ly the
main body. and eventually the enemy, mum.
bering some seven thor Sol q men, "retreated
in full light" "a Matahele regiment APP
peared on the scene just after the conclu-
sion Of the action. summoned by S~ekombo's
great war'horn, which sounded like a must
cal siren 1t is now hoped thrt offers of
peace which have been made to the induna8
will be accepted. The ront of the hitherto
undefsated impis by SO small q force is regard
ed with great satisfaction. and will doubtless
depress the natives, who mp TO the present
have felt absolute confidence in their ability
to "wipe out" the white men.
The trial of Major Lothtire, which has
been proceeding at Brussels during the week,
ended on Thureday in his acquittal. The
Court decided chat whereas murder did not
exist without criminal intent, and whereas
judicial errors, which, on the whole, were
not proved, did not affect th legality Of the
decision, which was guided by motives Of con-
science aud probity, and whereas Stokes did
sot deny the misdemeanonl Laid to his charge
and begged for mercy, and wherens-by carry.
ing out the judgment within twenty-four
hours Major Lothaire acted from motives Of
necessity and the safety OF his own troops,
and whereas the whole of his past career was
a guarantee of his honour and good faith"
the appeal must be dismissed with costs. 1t
cannot he said that this is a very satisfactory
decision, even considering the evidence pro
duced by q Pros ccutor whose action was hard
" distingnis'able from that Of counsel for
the defence, and who e%ulogised the prisoner
throughout his address to the Court. 1t seems
to have been admitted that Major Lothaire
had no right TO hang Stokes. except as a
piece of military necessity "a the leader of
an armed band in the Congo State territories
with hostile intent. Considering that in
Africa all caravans are escorted 10y armed
men, this is a very doubtful plea. We fear,
however, that there is now little use in
complaining as to results of the appeal which
weourselves demanded. All we can do and this
should be done most vigilantly, is to watch
the conduct of the Congo Free State. The
whole position of that anomalous polty re-
quires investigation.
Yesterday week the Home Secretary, Sir
Matthew White Ridley, announced to the
House of Commons amidst great cheering
that he thought it his duty to advise the
Queen to exercise the prerogatiye of mercy by
substituting for the sentences pronounced by
the Court on Dr.. Jameson aud his %fellow-pri-
soners of ordinary imprisonment with hard
labour, the penalty inflicted on first class
misdemeanants. which amounts only to the
loss of their liberty. but admits of their hay-
ing all their comforts consistent with any
confinement in sAol. OF course it is a relief TO