The policy laid down seems sensible and moderate, but a
question will be raised whether the despatch should have been published before Sir Hercules Robinson arrived. We think the publication wise. If the instructions are reported to the Basutos, they will see that they have a locus penitentire offered them—namely, submission to the High Commissioner—while the Colonists will see that they have no chance of obtaining the Basuto lands, and may, if they cannot terminate the war, have to surrender the control of outlying natives altogether. These considerations should impose moderation on the combatants. There is, we be-
Here, an idea current that a telegraphic summary of a despatch like this may be used for party purposes, and that the Premier of the Colony may find himself unfairly hampered ; but the Colo- nial Office has, of course, telegraphed to him the text of important passages, and a delay of only a few days could have been of little use. The despatch was not published till ten days after it was signed, and, as a rule, frankness and publicity tend to help honest Governments. Mr. Sprigg, like the rest of the world, must subordinate his amour-propre to the general good of the kingdom.
