If the statement had stopped here it could not perhaps
have been described as very hopeful or satisfactory, but the passage which followed to a great extent removes the doubts occasioned by the words we have just quoted. "But her Majesty's Government," ended Mr. Chamberlain," feel assured that the President, having accepted the principle for which they have contended, will be prepared to reconsider any detail of his scheme which can be shown to be a possible hindrance to the full accomplishment of the object in view, and that he will not allow them to be nullified or reduced in value by any subsequent alterations of the law or acts of administration." We can hardly believe that these words would have been used unless the Government were now fairly confident of a suc- cessful issue. The whole statement reads as if the Govern- ment, though they realised the need for great caution till the negotiations were finally settled, and though there were still many points of danger, felt that the spirit which is now being displayed at Pretoria was becoming more reasonable and more conciliatory.
