s urging loyalty to the Charter. His
appearance stirred memories of the pioneer days and almost without
exception the old guard rallied round him. A red-hot campaign ensued
with the result that the whole pro-Charter ticket, with one exception,
was elected, although the antis polled 45 per cent of the total vote.

Out of this defeat came a partial victory for the Progressives. The
Imperial Government saw the handwriting on the wall and acting within
its powers, which permitted an administrative change in the Charter at
the end of every ten years, granted a Supplemental Charter which
provided that the Legislative Council could by an absolute majority of
all its members pass a resolution "praying the Crown to establish in
Southern Rhodesia the form of Government known as Responsible
Government," provided that it could financially support this procedure.
It gave the insurgents fresh hope and it made the Company realize that
sooner or later its authority must end.

Then the Great War broke. Every available man that could possibly be
spared went to the Front and the life of the Council was extended until
1920, when a conclusive election was to be held. Meanwhile the Company,
realizing that it must sooner or later bow to the people's will, got
busy with an attempt to realize on its assets. Chief among them were the
millions of acres of so-called "unalienated" or Crown land in Southern
Rhodesia. The Chartered Company claimed this land as a private asset.
The settlers alleged that it belonged to them. The Government said it
was an imperial possession. The Privy Council in London upheld the
latter contention. Thereupon the Company filed a claim for
$35,000,000.00 against the Government to cover the value of this land
and its losses throughout the years of administration.

Yielding to pressure the Legislative Council in 1919 asked the British
Government to declare itself on the question of replacing the Charter
with some form of Government suited to the needs of the country. Lord
Milner, the Colonial Secretary, answered in what came to be known as the
"Milner Despatch." In it he said that he did not believe the territory
"in its present stage of development was equal to the financial burden
of Responsible Government." He mildly suggested representative
government under the Crown.

The general expectation throughout Rhodesia was that no election would
be held until a Government Commission then sitting, had inquired into
the val