ZULULAND.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3121, 18 February 1879, Page 3

ZULULAND.

So far as we are acquainted with it, the plan that it i 9 being carried out by our military authorities is a wise and judioious 6ne. Its aim is to surround Zululand with a chain of connected forces, so as to isolate it from the rest of South Africa. Theline of the Tugela which is the most exposed border line, is now patrolled from Korjre's Drift to the mouth. The Tiigela is the northern seabornefrontier; of British possessions in So»th Africa.'. It divides Natal, from Zutuiand,/which, in its turn, separates Natal from the Portuguese settlement at Delagoa Bay, ; just as Natal separates Zululand from the Cape Colony. Zululand, which is as far from the Cape Colony proper as Scotland is from France, is occupied by a distinct race of natives, who have as little to do with the frontier Caffres—-lately at war with and now snbdued ,by vs —as Prussians have with ■ Austrians. We lay stress upon this distinction, as so much confusion of j distances, places, and peoples appears to exist in regard to South Africa, The present movements—whether they be peaceful or warlike in their issue remains to be seen —are an entirely new affair, and have a different end in view from that which was aimed at during the Cape frontier war. They are at present in a Btrictly precautionary stago. They are to disabuse the Zulu 1 mind of an impression that y the British Government has. neither forces to s^t in action nor. disposition to move them. If this dispjay 6f military strength 'and readiness should be sufficient to compel Cetawayo's submission r tp terms that must inevitably be ijnposed upon'him, South Africa may be spared the ..spectacle of anpther war, and peace will have been again obtained by jthi.s exhibition of; preparedness: for war* In our,cage it is.obviously essential that such a peace must be one not only with honor, but With safety—assured and accepted safety for the future. We are persuaded that no one perceives this more fully than the High Commissioner, and that no one is more determined to place the relations of the British Government with the Zulus and With Zululand on a basis of abiding security.—Natal Mercury. , , .;-■■.;■■ /V ,