The Times published on Tuesday two letters written by Mr.
Cecil Rhodes twelve years ago, shortly after he became Cape Premier for the first time, to the Premiers of Canada and New South Wales. In the letter to Sir John Macdonald; whom he congratulates on winning the elections, Mr. Rhodes asks :—" Can we invent some tie with our Mother-country which will prevent separation P It must," he continues, "be a practical one, for future generations will not be born in England. The curse is that English politicians cannot see the future. They think they will always be the manufacturing part of the world, but do not understand what Protection, coupled with reciprocal relations, means." Writing to Sir Harry Parkes, Mr. Rhodes congratulates him on his success in the initial stages of federating Australia, and adds : "I recognise that in the future, if we remain a part of the British Empire, which is my present hope, we must receive special consideration from the Mother-country." Mr. Rhodes objects to the name "Commonwealth of Australia," as indicating a, desire for separation, and adds : "I think if you could change the name to Dominion of Australia, out of regard to the English people, you would enormously strengthen our demands for preferential consideration as to our products." The letters are characteristic and interesting, though we can- not admit that the charge that English politicians could not see the future comes well from the mouth of Mr. Rhodes, in view of his forecast of the result of the war and his attitude during the siege of Kimberley, as revealed by the evidence given before the War Commission.
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