NEWS OF THE WEEK.
ACCORDING to the latest accounts, Mr. Rhodes has won the game completely. Lobengula, who had fled with his regiments to Umshlagana, was there abandoned by his soldiers, and fled towards the Shangani river in a waggon drawn by slaves instead of bullocks. He is too unwieldy from much drinking of beer, either to ride or walk. Major Forbes was, on November 16th, following him up, and expected to capture him in a few days. Dr. Jameson is of opinion that the war is completely over, that the. forces of the Chartered Company may be disbanded, and that he may commence the organisation of a temporary police. No doubt appears to be en- tertained of the accuracy of this intelligence ; and of course, if that is true, the success of Mr. Rhodes and his able lieutenant, clearly a man with a genius for governing, has been most striking. It remains now only to bring the new province into order; but about this there will be many difficulties. The Char- tered Company evidently regard the conquered territory not only as within the area of their authority, but as their property to be distributed as they please, and in this they are supported by South African opinion. The Crown cannot abnegate its duty to subjects so far as this, and a compromise must be sought, which, as we have repeatedly suggested, should take the form of conceding mining rights to the Company, but appointing a British Administrator with governing powers both in Mashonaland and Bechuanaland. The Government must come to a resolution quickly, and Parliament will hardly be able to disperse without affirming or rejecting it.
