6 SEPTEMBER 1902, Page 2

The South African news is, on the whole, not unsatis-

factory. The Cape Parliament is certainly not a political engine which can be said to consume its own smoke, but we see no reason to feel any very great misgivings as to the final result. Our best plan here is, as we have said before, to keep an unbiassed mind, and not interfere unless and until something is done injurious to the interests of the Empire,— but first among these interests we would put the protection of the loyal Dutch. We do not want to pamper the loyal Dutch, of course; but, at whatever cost, we must stand by those who stood by us. But we do not doubt that Mr. Chamberlain realises this necessity to the full. As an example of the tone which the public here should adopt towards these South African problems nothing could he better than the leading article in the St. James's Gazette of Wednesday.