RHODES AND MATABELE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 373, 28 June 1911, Page 6

RHODES AND MATABELE.

"SCENES THAT MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING." Mrs. Margaret L. Woods gives a vivid description in "'Cornhill" ol the fashion in which Cecil Rhodes ended the Matabele War. One who has been a trooper in the British camp at the time, in pointing out the site of Rhodes's' tent and of the meeting with the Matabele chiefs, told us the story as it struck "the man who was there," but seeing things from the outside only. He told how Rhodes had lived for six weeks in his isolated tent. "Then," said he, "one evening Mr. Rhodes was talking with BadenPowell and some of them, and he said to them, 'I believe the Matabele are as tired of the war as we are, and if someone of importance would just walk over unarmed tc their camp and offer them favourable, conditions of peace, they would come in.' And the others said that was all very well, but who was going tc do it ? > Mr. Rhodes didn't make any answer to that, but next morning we couldn't find him in his tent, noi yet in 'the camp. There was a rare hunt for Mr. Rhodes, and at last it came out he had gone 'over to 'the Matabele camp with three of hie friends, and was making peace with the chiefs" ... One can imagine that splendid*host of fighting men—muscles of steel and 3kins of smoothest bronze, with shield and assegais, and all their war-gear, gathered on the hillside is the early morning sunlight, watching the approach of the White Chief and lis little band. So he came and stood among them—totally unarmed, alone except for his interpreter and two other men, who carried' no arms Except revolvers. There passed first the elaborate courtesies of savage greetings, and then the indaba began. First the White Chief inquired what were those grievances against his people for which they had gen: to war. This opening pleased the ihdunas, who explained their grievances at length. ' When he had listened to all and promised redress, he addressed than in his turn, reproving them sternly tor their cruelties to women and children. They heard him shame faced tike chidden children. At length he asked the momentous question, "'ls it to be peace or war ?' and the chiefs advancing laid theii assegais at his feet. The war was ended. Rhodes was almost completely silent during his walk back to the British camp. But once he spoke, .and touched, a string that vibrates. "It is scene* like this," he said, "which make life worth living."