Naturally the Colonial Office was most anxious to clear itself
of anything like complicity in filibustering. If it had wanted to annex the Transvaal it would have taken far other means, but it did not want. Mr. Chamberlain hurried to town and at once took the most energetic steps by peremptory telegrams to Dr. Jameson, to his immediate superior, Mr. Rhodes, and to the High Commissioner, Sir Hercules Robinson, to compel the expedition to return. Heat the same time opened negotiations with President Kruger, and finally directed Sir H. Robinson, who has immense experience of the Boers, to proceed to Pretoria with plenary authority to make a peaceful arrangement. The runners from Mafeking caught Dr. Jameson with the instructions, but he disobeyed them and marched on. Finally, when news arrived of the surrender of Dr. Jameson, Mr. Chamberlain telegraphed to the Transvaal an urgent counsel to the Boers to behave with moderation, and avoid bloodshed. So far as we can perceive, he has acted with energy and judgment, and has maintained in the only way open to him the great principle that no subordinate of the Crown can have a right to declare war, or perform any act equivalent to a declaration of war, without the previous consent of her Majesty's Government. Local independence is a very good thing; but if that principle is broken through, there is nothing before us but anarchy.
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