the Transvaal scandal to
die out as quietly as the Government hoped.

We told you about the two reports that had been sent in; well, the
member of Parliament who gave the second report has offered a resolution
that Mr. Cecil Rhodes be removed from his position in the South African
Company.

Further than this, it has been decided that a complete change shall be
made in the directors of this too powerful company, which has already
been able to plunge the British Government into so much trouble.

Complaints have been made that the company under its president, Mr.
Cecil Rhodes, has abused the privileges thus given by the Government. In
addition to the affair in the Transvaal, the company has treated the
natives of Mashonaland with great severity, taking their cattle away
from them, and forcing them to live in a condition bordering on slavery.

It has therefore been decided to modify the terms of the charter to such
a degree that the South African Company can only manage the commercial
affairs of their territory, all matters relating to its foreign policy
being henceforth in the hands of the British Government.

The House of Commons has been forced to agree to an open discussion of
the Transvaal Raid, when the matter of punishing Mr. Rhodes is to be
decided upon. Mr. Hawkesly, the lawyer who holds the missing cablegrams,
is also to be summoned before Parliament, and forced to produce them.

* * * * *

The last steamer from Japan brought a renewed protest from the
Government against the annexation of Hawaii.

Japan insists that Hawaii must remain an independent country. She says
that as soon as the Panama or Nicaragua canals are opened the importance
of the Sandwich Islands will be greatly increased, and that it is
necessary to the welfare of Japan that her independence be preserved.

The Japanese minister is reported to have declared that "annexation must
not be recognized. Japan must oppose it to the utmost."

In spite of this the Senate is going right ahead with the business of
the treaty.

In the mean while the Secretary of the Navy is making all the ships at
his command ready for service, so that we shall not be altogether
unprepared to defend ourselves if occasion arises.

* * * * *

There is not very much to tell in regard to the strike. No settlement
has been reached, and there is not much likelihood that the miners and
masters will come to