AFFAIRS AT THE CAPE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2574, 28 October 1893, Page 1

AFFAIRS AT THE CAPE.

Capetown, October 24. King Lobengula's brother is among the four prisoners taken at Tati. Lord Ripon has ordered Sir Henry Loch to supersede Mr Cecil Rhodes and stop operations. He is further instructed to open negotiations with Lobengula if possible at Lulawayo, whither the Governor goes accompanied by a military escort. Indignation is expressed in Capetown at the interference of the Colonial Secretary. London, Oct. 25. A semi-oflicial denial is given to the statement that the Colonial Office has ordered Sir H. Loch to supersede Mr Cecil Rhodes ju directing operations

against the Matabeles, and it is explained that the company has merely been warned that Lord Ripon will control the ultimate parleying with 'Lobengula. There is no truth in the statement that Sir H. Lock has been instructed to proceed at once to Bulawayo to open negotiations with the rebel king. A statement of an eye-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 when, in obedience to the command of Dr Jamieson, the 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 of revolting brutality. Oct. 25. —Sir Henry Loch is pushing ierward reinforcements to Mashonaland. The Chartered Company will protest against Sir Henry Loch parleying with Lobengula without first consulting Mr Cecil Rhodes. The company's officers declare that the account given by an eye witness of the atrocities alleged to have been committed on the Matabeles by the Victoria column in September is a calumny. Sir Henry Loch is making full enquiries into the truth of the accusation contained in the statement. Pretoria, Oct. 25. President Kruger fears that the apparent absence of concert between the British Government and the Chartered Company will bring about disaatar to the forces, as the latter are advancing rashly without clearing the country.