In Thursday's _Times the Master of Elibank (a Member of
the Opposition) makes a very remarkable statement in regard to the alleged complicity of the Colonial Office in the Raid. He states that he knew Mr. Fairfield well, and that when the latter was dying, and knew that he was dying, he constantly stated "that the Colonial Office had no knowledge whatever of the Raid, or its inception." For those who, like ourselves, are perfectly content to take Mr. Chamberlain's word on the matter, this testimony was not needed, but for persons liable to be "awed by rumour" it is most important. Mr. Fairfield was, in his political opin ions, a strong Radical, his personal connections were almost entirely with Mr. Chamberlain's opponents, he knew that he was dying and had no need to think of official promotion, and, finally, he was not urged to make any statement on the matter. Under these circum- stances, his testimony is as conclusive as any evidence can well be.
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