ABSTRACT
Lobengula grumbled a good deal at the intrusion of Rhodes into the correspondence. Even apart from the admission of Fairbairn, the letter carries internal evidence leading to a strong presumption that it was not a genuine expression of Lobengula’s ideas. Lobengula into signing away his country. The old Induna Lot je, who, more far-seeing than the others, had been the principal supporter of the proposals put forward by Rudd, and was a loyal adherent of Thompson, was the first victim of the general reactionary policy. Prior to his departure Thompson had repeatedly urged Rhodes to visit Bulawayo in person. Moffat also considered that it would be sound policy for him to meet Lobengula face to face, and he continued in his belief after Thompson had gone. Moffat pointed out that the Charter gave Rhodes the right to raise troops who could fight for Lobengula against intruders and repel invasion.
