South African War

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 101, 26 October 1893, Page 2

South African War

♦ THE CAUSE OF THE HOSTILITIES. REVOLTING BRUTALITY. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION). London, October 25. A semi-official denial is given to the statement |that the Colonial Office has ordered Sir H. Loch to supersede Mr Cecil Rhodes in directing the operations against the Matabeles. and it is explained that the Company has merely been warned that Lord Kipon will control the ultimate parleying with Lobengula. The statement of an eje witness has been published as throwing some further light on the direct cause of the outbreak of actual hostilities. It is to the effect that the Matabeles made an incursion into the country in the vicinity of Fort Victoria in September ; but that when, in obedience to the commands of Dr Jamoson, tbe Administrator of Mashonaland. they were peacefully retiring, the Chartered Company's forces pursued them and shot them down like rabbits. , „ The natives did not return the fire, and continued their retreat without retaliating. No quarter was given, the wounded Matabeles being brained or shot, and the scene is described as one of revolting brutality. Phettokia, October 25. President Kruger fears that the apparent absence of concert between the British Government and the Chartered Company will brinp about disaster to the forces as the forces of the latter are ad var. oiug rashly and without clearing the country-