The Ashantee war is likely, we apprehend, to become a
some- what unpleasant question, and the line of defence taken by the Colonial Office on the subject is not of a kind to propitiate opinion, which does not like to hear a public officer of great ability cen- sured without papers produced or opportunity of defence. Whether Governor Hennessy or Colonel Harley was right in his- estimate of the forces and determination of the King of Ashantee does not seem to be so much the question as Mr. K.natch- bull-Hugessen would have it to be believed. A more injudicious statement has seldom been made even by an Under-Secretary than his statement on the subject, and we observe that Lord Kimberley on Tuesday carefully refrained from pronouncing on the principal point involved. It is a pity, however, that there should be any delay about producing the papers. What has been achieved in Africa must, no doubt, be maintained ; nor ought there to be any difficulty in maintaining it by strengthening and arming the native police, as Mr. Hennessy recommended, and increasing the force of the West India Regiment. At present,. no doubt, a few gunboats and plenty of powder and ball for our- friends the Fantees are much re quired as well.
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