It was officially announced last Saturday in Cape Town that
Lord Gladstone had invited General Botha to form a Ministry and that the invitation had been accepted. The decision has given general satisfaction, for although there is some natural disappointment in Cape Colony, Mr. Merriman has lost ground since the National Convention, while General Botha has greatly strengthened his position. The composition of the Ministry will not be formally announced until the last day of the month, but Mr. Merriman has declined to join it. The Transvaal representatives will almost certainly be Mr. Smuts and Mr. Hull, while Mr. Fischer and General Hertzog will probably represent the Orange River Colony, and Mr. Moor and Colonel Greene Natal. There is greater divergence of opinion as to the Cape contingent, but the favourites are Mr. Sauer, Mr. Mala-n, Mr. Graaff, and Mr. Burton or Mr. de Waal. If this forecast prove correct, the new Cabinet will have little of a Coalition character ; but more importance is to be attached to the moderation of General Botha than the partisanship of General Hertzog.
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