20 OCTOBER 1883, Page 3

The situation in Zululand is becoming unintelligible. It is -reported

on all hands that Cetewayo, pressed by his European adviser, Mr. Grant, has surrendered himself to the British 'Resident, and is again, therefore, a prisoner. It is also -asserted that Usibepu, the chief who has proved himself the strongest in the recent conflicts, will be acknowledged by the British as general Chief in Zululand. There is no ob- jection to the latter course, which, indeed, is essential, unless we are to annex ; but why should we interfere, either to protect or 'to arrest Cetewayo ? We ought, no doubt, to have restored him nominally to his old position ; but as he accepted the terms, why not leave him to fight his battle, and win a throne -or lose his life, by himself P It seems as if in Zululand, as in Afghanistan, a tree non-interference, carried steadily out to its logical conclusion, was too much for the tempers of the authori- ties on the spot. They will look on calmly up to a point, but then the wish either to set things right or to moderate the victor gets the better of them. If it is necessary to settle Zululand, let= settle it, in our own way and with a persistent policy ; but if it is not, let the Zulus fight it out .td the bitter end. What conceivable business is it of ours to arrest Cetewayo ?