16 DECEMBER 1905, Page 2

Lord Selborne's despatch, though temperately written, is a far from

convincing document, and abounds in serious admissions,—e.g., he frankly admits the impossibility of explaining to a large proportion of the Chinese coolies before they leave China the conditions of the life on the mines and the nature of the work. It is clear, again, that the improvements in management, and the more considerate and intelligent treatment on which he insists as essential to the success of the experiment, are largely due to the protests, representations, and criticisms of the opponents of the system. Meantime, the report of continued raids and outrages by Chinese on the Rand given in Wednesday's Times furnishes a disquieting comment on Lord Selborne's optimistic treatment of the subject of desertion.