idity of the Company's immense claim for damages. Early in March
1920, however, the Legislative Council gave notice that the election was
set for April 30th. It proved to be the most exciting ever held in
Rhodesia. The Chartered Company made no fight. The contest was really
waged between the two wings of the anti-Charter crowd. One favored
Responsible Government and the other, admission to the Union of South
Africa.

The arguments for Responsible Government briefly were these: That under
the Supplemental Charter it was the only constitutional change possible;
that the financial burden was not too heavy; that the native question
was no bar; that the Imperial Government would never saddle the country
with the huge debt of the Company; that under the Union a hateful
bi-lingualism would be introduced; that taxation would not be excessive,
and that finally, the right of self-determination as to Government was
the birthright of the British people.

The adherents of Union contended that the original idea of Cecil Rhodes
was to make Rhodesia a part of the Union of South Africa; that by this
procedure the vexing problem of customs with the Union would be solved;
that the system of self-government in South Africa meets every
requirement of self-determination. Moreover, the point was made that by
becoming a part of the Union the whole railway question would be
settled. At present the Rhodesian railways have three ends, one in South
Africa at Vryburg, another on the Belgian border, and a third at the sea
at Beira. It was claimed that through the Union, Rhodesia would benefit
by becoming a part of the nationalized railway system there and get the
advantage of a British port at the Cape instead of Beira, which is
Portuguese. In other words, Union meant stability of credit, politics,
finance and industry.

The outcome of the election was that twelve Responsible Government
candidates, one of them a woman, were elected. Women voted for the first
time in Rhodesia and they solidly opposed the union with South Africa.
The thirteenth member elected stood for the conversion of the country
into a Crown Colony under representative government. Throughout the
campaign the Chartered Company remained neutral, although it was
obviously opposed to Responsible Government. The feeling throughout
Rhodesia is that it favors Union because it could dispose of its assets
to better advantage.

I arrived in Rhodesia immediately after the election. The co