New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-28

Commissioner. who repudiated Rhodess prom
ise. and reused distrust and antagonism which
Seemed likely to Illustrate the whole annexation
project Thereupon Rhodes asked Sir Hercules
Robinson, the High Commissioner for the Cape,
10 let him go up there and see what he could do:
Sir Hercules agreed. but was careful to point
out that he could give him no force to back up
his contentious. oh that will be all right
responded Rhodes, with his customary CHEEKY
optimism. Give permission TO do as |
Yes replied the High Commissioner you
can have that permisson but if you get into
mess cannot back you up That is good
enough for me-" was Rhodes's answer. and he
at once made preparations for his journey
Rhodes went straight TO stellaland, and found
"a pretty kettle of fish" Van Niekerk. leader
OF the Stelaand Beers was under arms. and in
camp. backed by a large commando from the
TransvaaL He went straight TO the camp,
alone and unarmed. There he met Delarey, the
militant head of the anti-Brtish party:
Rhodes strolled over to Delarey's tent one
morning, and quietly invited himself to break
fast. With that hospitality which is one of the
pleasantest features Of the Boer character, the
unexpected visitor made welcome. and
meal hastily got ready. While this was being
done. Delarey turned to Rhodes with a grim
look. and said abruptly, Blood must flow If
this Ogrelike remark startled Rhodes al ALL he
was careful not to show il. Well" he retorted
coolly, give me my breakfast, and we will talk
about blood afterward." In describing
after days the course which events took.
Rhodes said. I stayed with Delarey a week. l
became godfather TO his grandchild, and in the
end we made settlement. Those who were
serving under Van Nekerk and Delarey got
their farms, and I secured the government of
the country for her majesty which l believe
the right policy, and so both sides were
satisfied.
The third and-for Rhodes-the final step
taken in the acquisition of Mashonaland and
Matabelelard. forming the vast and priceless
empire fittingly known Rhodesia. This
all Rhodess own work, and it SPLEEN
didly performed. Seldom If ever in history has
so great a possession been secured at so little
cost. There We're. it is true. some tragic cpl
sodes. The oft told story Of the death of Alan
Wilson and his comrades is notable in the
nails of heroism. In one memorab Bile scene Rhodes
himself was the principal actor. Familiar II
is let us recall il, as described by the present
biographer. II at the climax of the Malta
belle rebellion. and Rhodes decided to stop fight
ing and 10 try negotiation With three COM
panies he set out for the Matabele camp. in the
Matoppo hills:
The scene was striking. The four white men.
10 all appearances entirely unarmed. surrounded
by the hordes of rebel Matabee, whose dark
skins cleaned in the sunlight like much pol
ished ebony, and on whose hands the blood of
so many cruelty butChered white men, women
and children was scarcely dry; while inClOSng
them on every side the sheer walls of dark
granite, and above the bright. dazzling blue of
the tropical sky. Rhodes. through Mr.
Colenbrander. who acted as interpreter asked
the Matabele what they desired while Nj Col
enbrander urged the chiefs TO tell their troubles
10 Rhodes" Thus urged the indunas recounted
all the evils and fanced evils which the advent
Of the white man and the rule of the Chartered
Company had imposed upon them They had
many real grievances 10 Ventilate, and Rhodes
listened to all they said with great attention.
and when the indunas had finished he was able
10 paclfy them wonderfully After he had
spoken at some length, Rhodes embarked upon
a line Of conduct which absolutely amazed his
companions, and caused them to feel seriously
alarmed for his-and their-safety. His eyes
blazing with anger. and with trembling lips he
turned the indunas at his feet. and attacked
them for the cruel massaCres they had com
mitted. Il 90 not upbraid you" he said FOR
making the white men; but why did YOU
kill our women and children? For that you de
serve no mercy The lndunas made no reply.
but bowed their heads in meek submission.
The past is past and done with" continued
Rhodes But what of the future? Is it TO be
peace, or war;" The reply was given by
one Of the oldest indunas present. who rose
from his position in the semi-circle raised a
light wand or stick above his head. and ad-
vanced toward Rhodes saying. See. this is my
rihe-I cast it at your feet" Repeating the
which likewise cast at your feet" AS he re-
tired to his place once more. all the chiefs
around set up loud cry of assent, and the
Matabele rebellion was at an end.
1T is such scenes as this" said Rhodes to his
companions. which make life really worth Iiv-
the British empire in South Africa from Lions
Head to Line It was in such execution Of such
schemes that he won his title TO the distinction
of greatness He confirmed that title too by
his ineXorable subordination Of all non-essen-
tials to the service of the essential end We
have said he the champion Of the Beers in
Stealand he was their champion in many cases.
and he commanded-and deserved-their conf
dence and support 1t was only when they inter
fered with his supreme design of empire that he
and they cashed He had no enmity toward
the Orange State and the Transvaal. He was
willing that they should stand as they were for
all time. 1t only when Paul KRUGER sent
freebooting commanders to rush" and seize
Bechuanaland and thus bar British progress to
the north that Rhodes antagonized him 1t
was only when hruger sent other commanders
northward, to cross the Limpopo and raid Rho
desia, that Rhodes sent his police to meet the
Beers with rife muzzles at the fords. Through
all his career. Cancellation between the two races
was the keynote of Rhodes's policy. That note
must prevail. and that policy be carried out II
ever South Africa is to be peaceful and pros
porous. 1t is interesting to recall that TO this
end Rhodes planned the establishment in South
Africa Of a great university. in which the sons
Of Englishmen and of Beers should be educated
side by side. He meant to place it in the
suburbs Of Cape Town, and to model it after his
own Oriel, at oxford. In it he would educate
young from the Cape. from Natal. from
the Orange State, from the Transvaal. and from
Rhodesia; and from it, he said. these young
men would go forth into all parts of South
Africa prepared TO make the future Of the coun-
try, and in their hands this great question Of
union could safely be left" Again. we say, this
was an empire builder. not a money grubber.
He made mistakes, and he employed agencies
apairsf " rrnir-