It is believed almost universally that Government has re- solved
on peace, but this is premature. The Government is, no doubt, alarmed at the excessive expense of the war, which Sir G. Wolseley, who sailed on Friday, is said by Mr. Richard to estimate at twenty millions, and which cannot be under nine. But Sir M. Hicks-Beach, who is no sayer of smooth- nesses, declares that the real object is to make a sort of dictator in the disturbed region, and give Sir Bartle Frere time for his duties at the Cape, especially confederation ; while Sir Garnet Wolseley has taken with him the group who always form his fighting staff, and the Admiralty has dispatched 1,200 more Marines. That looks like war, not peace, and it is quite possible that the Ministry chiefly desire more resolute campaigning. The element of time is everything in the cost of English wars. By the latest accounts, Lord Chelmsford has found it impossible to move his infantry, for want of transport, and proposes to send two cavalry regiments to attack the King's Kraal at Ulundi ; while Cetewayo has abandoned that position, and intends to make the war exclusively an affair of bush-fighting. These are only rumours, but it is clear that up to May 14th no advance had been made.
