The sequel to Mr. Chamberlain's answer to Sir Robert Reid's
very proper question about "Savage South Africa" is far from satisfactory. Mr. Chamberlain confirmed the statement that the fifty-two Zulus exported from Natal in express viola- tion of the wishes of the Natal and Cape Governments had been given passes to the Kimberley mines, and was unable to contradict the assertion that they were led to believe that they would be employed there. The Colonial Secretary added that her Majesty's Government had no power to compel the return of the natives ; he could only express his regret and disapproval of their introduction, and said he would immediately communicate with the Duke of Cambridge, who was to open the Greater Britain Exhibition, at which the natives were to appear. The Duke of Cambridge on Monday merely contented himself with expressing the hope that " those present and the public at large would clearly understand that he had nothing to do with the Exhibition except the Colonial section of it. He was afraid some observations had been made which might not have been satisfactory, but with that he had nothing to do." We trust that this cautious euphemism will not be allowed to close an incident which involves not only a grave defiance of authority, but a cruel disregard of the heavy trust imposed on the white Governments of Africa by their relations with their black subjects.
Previous page
