'The Times of Tuesday contains a summary of a speech
made by Mr. Rhodes at Bulawayo on Saturday last. The Boer War was, he held, practically over, for he did not believe there were mere than 8,500 men left in the field. He prophesied that federation would be brought about within the next four years. "It was nonsense to talk of self-government for the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony before federation was accomplished. The only power which could effect federation was the Crown, which had the matter in its own hands. Rhodesia's task was to prepare itself for federation." The only State be was sorry for, continued Mr. Rhodes, was Cape Colony, which he implied was going back; but it was its own fault. After pointing out in strong terms the disloyal and yet vacillating way in which the Cape Dutch had acted, he declared that "his poor old State was coming out worst." "The whole Revenue of the Colony was dependent on the railways, and the whole situation was in the hands of the Northern States. He spoke warmly because he saw what the leaders of the Bond and the leaders of the Church should do. While the poor people of the neighbouring Colony were running about like sheep without a shepherd he took this opportunity of saying a few words, which he hoped would do them good." Mr. Rhodes's intention is dear. He is willing tocblige as a saviour of society at the Cape. No doubt what he flays as to the foss of its importance by the Cape is perfectly trap, but we doubt Mr. Rhodes's ability to alter this. Even he is not stronger than geography, and the geographical conditions are largely against the Cape. Federation is her best chance of holding her own. We agree with Mr. Rhodes that federa- tion is to be ardently desired in the • interests of all South Africa.
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