ABSTRACT
Joseph Chamberlain shared Lord Hartington's concern for the fate of imperial security abroad; Bismarck's moves, especially in the Cameroons and Angra Pequena, left Chamberlain angry, and passionately in favour of a strong colonial policy in the face of the Prussian challenge. The Colonial Office submitted a lengthy 'Confidential Print', drafted by Robert Herbert at Earl of Derby's instigation, and which said much the same things as did Chamberlain's memorandum, although Chamberlain claimed to find it unsatisfactory. The important fact remains that Chamberlain was preaching to the converted. From Stellaland Rhodes headed north to Goshen. But here not even the promise of a similar, and liberal agreement, would entice the freebooters to acknowledge Cape overlordship. Cape Dutch opinion had 'exploded' in angry demonstrations on the Cabinet decision being made public. Derby, the Cabinet, and the Colonial Office, were thus faced with a clear choice between Sir Hercules Robinson and Sir Charles Warren, which symbolically represented the clear choice in policy.
