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The two territories-the Reserve Territory and the remaining Zulu country that would come under our authority-could subsequently be brought together under one administration; but there might be difficulties in the way of doing this at first.

25. It might or might not be necessary to send a military force into the territory thus added to our authority. There is a military force at pre- sent in the Reserve Territory; and until the question of Central Zululand is settled some force of this kind must be kept in the Resorve Territory. But when that question is settled, if it is settled satisfactorily, it will be possible, I think, in a short time to reduce the force consider- ably, and in due course to dispense with it altogether. It would be advisable, therefore, if circumstances allowed of it, not to advance the force beyond the Reserve Territory, because it would be more difficult subsequently to withdraw the force when ouce advanced than would be the case if it remained in the Reserve Territory.

26. This is an outline of the scheme that I contemplated: the details could only be filled in when the scheme came to be carried out.

27. Whether the scheme could be carried out in the manner I propose would be dependent on our ability to come to an amicable arrangement with the Boers, and subsequently with the Usutu chiefs.

I would deal with the Boers, as will be apparent from what I have said, in a frank and not unfriendly manner. I would insist on much, but I would concede much; and if the Boers ane prudently advised they will accept so favourable an opportunity for coming to an agreement with us.

28. It would be premature to say anything as to how far an arrangement could be made with the Colony of Natal in respect of the Zulu country or of any portion of it, according to the suggestion thrown out by the Natal Legislative Council. That suggestion, after all, contamplates that there should first be a settlement of the Zulu country by Her Majesty's Government; and it would be matter for after consideration, when once the settlement is carried out, how far it would be advisable to keep the country separate or to unite it to Nutal.

14th January, 1886,

H. BULWER.

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