Page:Last Will and Testament of Cecil Rhodes.djvu/162

148 is the duty of every Englishman in the House to record his solemn protest against it. In conclusion, I wish to say that the breach of solemn pledges and the introduction of race distinctions must result in bringing calamity on this country; and if such a policy is pursued it will endanger the whole of our social relationships with colonists of Dutch descent, and endanger the supremacy of Her Majesty in this country.”

No one could have denounced more vehemently than Mr. Rhodes the suggestion that a Crown Colony of any kind should be established under Downing Street in the heart of South Afnica.

“I have held,” he said, “to one view. That is the government of South Africa by the people of South Africa whilst keeping the Imperial tie of self-defence.”

While he would not object to allow the Imperial Government a temporary responsibility during a period of transition, he declared—

“I do object most distinctly to the formation of a separate British colony in the interior of South Africa on the Zambesi apart from the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope.”

If he felt that as far away as the Zambesi is, how much more strongly would he have felt it just across the Vaal and the Orange River!

Incidentally also note that Mr. Rhodes strongly supported the Dutch policy of dealing with the natives as opposed to the policy of Exeter Hall and the missionaries. He maintained that the Dutch treated the natives very well. His own native policy, which is practically accepted to-day by nearly every white man in South Africa, was stated by him in 1888 as follows:—

“Well, I have made up my mind that there must be class legislation, that there must be Pass