The news from Rhodesia is very bad this week. Colonel
Plumer, with four hundred and fifty whites and some Cape natives, did, indeed, on Sunday attack a large body of Matabeles on the slopes of some hills two days' march from Bulawayo, and did drive them from their position with a loss perhaps of one hundred men ; but the natives only retired deeper into the hills, and a second attack made by the "Cape boys" failed. Colonel Flamer was forced to return, having lost twenty-three whites, ten of them killed, and a number not stated of Cape boys. He had, however, captured a number of prisoners. The native irnpis are reported close to Bulawayo, Fort Charter and Salisbury are still threatened, and the rising among the Maahonas has become universal. There are difficulties of transport, and provisions such as Europeans can eat have risen to famine prices. This, however,is not the worst. There are fierce disputes among the whites, and evidently some approach to administra- tive anarchy. The Queen's men and the Chartered Company's men are too equal in authority, Sir F. Carrington is only master of his own redcoats, and the settlers are getting out of hand. Earl Grey has disbanded the .Airikander Corps, apparently to save money, and the men, alleging that promises made by the Company to them have not been kept, refuse to enlist in a new corps. Mr. Rhodes, instead of counselling, is fighting in Colonel Plumer's force, and of general headship there is not a trace. This last defect should be remedied at once, even if we do not send cavalry to aid in the pacification of the province. A statesman with a free hand would probably do more to reduce it to order than even a fresh supply of Maxim guns.
