BASUTO KING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 276, 18 May 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

BASUTO KING.

DEMAND FOR FNTFOKII LIKE THE KAISER'S. The lilneinfontein Post lias interviewoil Lot sic. (lie paramount eliief nf I'asutoland itlie mountainous district between (lie north-west corner of Cape Colonv ami Natal), who lately gathered to himself large forces, on the question of his hostility and discontent. Eetsie declared himself afraid of (he Union <loveniineiu, which he compared to a snake, Irving to kill his people. "If.'' !h> said, "the snake tries to kill me, others may trv to kill the snake. T am frightened of the Union. Those who niadi' it are a highly civilised people: my nation is backward. So how can two -111-I1 peoples mix?" Eetsie also charged the Imperial Covcrnment with the breach of certain agreements made in the time of Queen Victoria, and declared that he had grievance against the: local Administration. lie referred to llii' National Council in ail arrogant, fashion, and threatened to "wipe it out" if it did not comply with his wishes. An incongruous note was struck bv the chief's discontent with his present gorgeous uniform, fie desires to have one made on the model of the Herman Emperor's. A remarkable feature of the incident was that Letsie arrogated to ■himself the title of King of Basutolawl, which has never been claimed by his predecessors.