The speech of the Conference was, however, that of Sir
Edward Grey, who was sent as a substitute for Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, and must, therefore, be understood to have attained Cabinet rank in his own party. His speech was hopeful as regarded party prospects, but distinctly Imperialist in tone. He repeated that he could see no alter- native to the annexation of the Dutch Republics, and that the "Imperial paramountcy must be changed into Imperial control." Had such control existed before "that miserable Raid" it would never have occurred. He believed, however, that local self-government might be granted sooner than was expected, for the Boers as yet did not know the British. When they did, as they soon would, for "wherever Lord Roberts passed as victor his object was to leave not only peace, but confidence behind him," they would be able to live with them in concord and co-operation. There was bitterness now, but he did not believe that "success would find us either passionate or vindictive." That is the speech of a statesman. We note with some curiosity Sir E. Grey's repeated references to the Boers as " a simple, pastoral people." He intends the phrase to be honorific, and we should like to know his authority for his view. The great pastoral tribes—the Tartars of North Asia, the Gauchos of South America, and the cowboys of the United States— though all " simple " in one sense, are not exactly the men under whose rule civilised communities grow up. The Boers are not shepherds—which is the sense in English usage of the word " pastoral "—but herdsmen and horse-breeders.
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