The news from Bulawayo is still favourable, but everything depends
upon the great patrol of six hundred and eighty men which has marched out to bring in Mr. Rhodes and his party from Gwelo. The Matabeles are sure to attack that body, and if defeated will see that their chance is gone. They have not fought very well yet, and are apparently deficient, if not in courage, yet in confidence. From Pretoria the only news is contained in a despatch from President Kruger which shows that his Honour is affronted with Mr. Chamberlain's speech, denies emphatically that the paramount position of Great Britain is in any danger, and hints pretty clearly that if the Raid is defended he shall visit such language on the prisoners now respited. Mr. Chamberlain has accordingly explained in a telegraphed reply that he did not defend the Raid, and that he cannot see that the fate of the prisoners ought to depend upon the language employed by irresponsible persons. The Government, therefore, trust that the decision will be arrived at in accordance with the general interests of South Africa and the "generous sentiments" of the President himself.
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