The Colonial Office received on Tuesday a very ominous telegram
from the Cape. The " officer administering the Government " writes, on-.November 3rd, that the " position has not improved" since thelast despatch. Brigadier Clarke did not succeed in his attack: on the Basntos above Mafeteng, but was compelled to retire into that place, with a loss of eight killed or missing and eight wounded. The Basuto loss was "unknown," the colonial forces having, in plain English, been compelledto retire precipitately. Various chiefs are mentioned who are still faithful, or doubtful, but when the Cape Govern- ment acknowledges defeat, and its own apprehensions as to the position, the situation may be accepted as serious. Real- forcements are being urged forward and the farmers called out, but the colonists are evidently overstrained, and a serious defeat may call all native Africa into the field. The Government have been compelled, it is admitted in the telegram, to rearm the Fingoes,—that is, to arm black men in order to kill other black men for resenting being disarmed. No application is made for troops ; but it is clear that the con- dition of success for the Bartle Frere policy is victory, which
is not being achieved; •
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