THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 363, 2 April 1866, Page 1

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

We (‘ New Zealand Herald’) have, through through the courtesy of Mr Kettle, a paaseuger by the ‘ Frederick Bassill,’ received Cape papers to the I9th January. There is great distress throughout the Colony, and everybody who can is leaving it. The Basuto war has come to a stand still. The ‘Cape Standard’ says:— We do not believe—and indeed from the commencement of the unwise contest it was apparent that the Free State, unaided, or assisted only by the Transvaalers, could not succeed in doing much greater damage to the Basutos than they themselves would sustain in the conflict —neither do we suppose that Mosbesh can reduce the Free State to a position of subjection to him. The time bad perhaps arrived when from the, relations existing between the contending parties, they should have had an opportunity of testing their relative strength, as well as their chance of outward aid; and to us will not be lost the illustration which may be afforded of our ultimate controlling power. The consequences are no doubt very damaging to the belligerents, to our own mercantile interests, and to very many worthy persons who have had no hand in bringing about such a state of affairs, and were powerless to prevent it.

By some tlie policy pursued has been condemned ; others suggest that the time has now come for a friendly interference. Now, friendly offices of this nature are very good at the proper time, and no doubt President Brand and Moshesh know full well, if they have not been told so more than once during the struggle, which for aught we know they may have been, that the good offices of the Colonial Government to re-establish peace between them, have only to bo asked for by both parties and they will be freely given; but it would be surely unadvisable to press such services before they are sought. A peace brought about by the interference of third parties, wlxile one or the other of the belligerents believe themselves capable of forcing better terms than a third party would recommend, is not likely to bo a lasting peace, and it is better for the interests of all that they should light it out now than that there should be a recurrence of it five years hence.

According to the latest accounts, it appears to be almost impossible for the Free State to carry on their war much longer. Their army consists of some 1000 or 1200 men, of whom 700 had petitioned for leave to go home, with an intimation —implied, if not asserted —that if they don’t get it they will take French leave ; and it will be impossible for tho President to raise new levies, and indeed there seems to be a settled intention on tha part of the people to fight no more. This feeling was strongly evinced on a recent occasion, when their new Commandant-General, or officer acting as such, Mr Wessels wanted to make an attack on one of the enemy’s positions. By a vote of the Kryg;i\\ad (War Council), which Jlaad over-ridea all generals, commandants, &c., twenty out of tweiuy-fivo voted against fighting.