THE MATABELE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9341, 26 October 1893, Page 5

THE MATABELE WAR.

BRITISH OPERATIONS SUSPENDED.

INTERFERENCE OF THE HOME GOVERNMENT. INDIGNATION AT THE CAPE. Press Association.— Telegraph.— Capetown", October 24. Lord Ripon has ordered Sir H. Loch to supersede Mr. Cecil Rhodes, and stop operations. He is further instructed to open negotiations with Lobengula, if possible, at Bulawayo, whither the Governor goes, accompanied by a military escort. Indignation is expressed in Capetown at the interference of the Colonial Secretary. King Lobengula's brother is among the four prisoners taken at Tati. London, October 24. Lord Giffen says a section of the Matabeles are disloyal, owing to old feuds and the galling effects of Lobengula's tyranny. London, October 25. A semi-official denial is given to the statement that the Colonial Office has ordered Sir H. Loch to supersede Mr. Cecil Rhodes in directing operations against the Matabeles, and it is explained that the company has merely been warned that Lord Ripon will, control the ultimate parleying with Lobengula. There is no truth in the statement that Sir H. Loch has been instructed to proceed at once to Bulawayo to open negotiations with the rebel King, The statement of an eye-witness has been published as throwing some further light on the direct cause of the outbreak of actual hostilities. It is to the effect that the Matabeles made an. incursion into the country in the vicinity of Fort Victoria in September, but when in obedience to the command of Dr. Jameson, the Administrator of Mashonaland, they were peacefully retiring, the Chartered Company's forces pursued them and shot them down like rabbits. The natives did not return fire, and continued their retreat without retaliation. No quarter was given, the wounded Matabeles being brained or shot, and the scene is described as one of revolting brutality.