The following article was first published in the Daily Mail July 5th 1909 and should be of interested to collectors of Rhodesia and South Africa.

General Botha, the Transvaal Prime Minister, now on his way to England, is expected to open negotiations in London for the acquisition of Southern Rhodesia by the Transvaal in order that it may be incorporated in the new South African Union.

CAPETOWN, Sunday.
A report is in circulation at Bulawayo that Genernal Botha, the Transvaal Prime Minister, at the request of the South African National Convention, will make an offer to the British South Africa Company for the taking over of Rhodesia by United South Africa.

The Bulawayo Chronicle says it believes the report is correct, and mentions £20,000,00 as the price. –Reuter.

General Botha’s Mission.
A director of the Chartered Company made the following statement last night to a representative of The Daily Mail:-

“It is understood that General Botha will open the question of the acquisition of Rhodesia while in England. Parliament is sure to give permission for the Act of Union, and in order to include Rhodesia the assent of the Chartered Company will have to be obtained, and the directors of the company have promised not to act without consulting the people of Rhodesia. They would accept fair terms for the territory south of the Zambesi, which is the only part that would come into question.

“Northern Rhodesia will be retained by the Company for future developments. Southern Rhodesia is the white man’s country and can be occupied by a white population, and is therefore capable of self-government. Southern Rhodesia would not be absorbed by the Transvaal but would be a fifth State.

“The transaction will take the form of compensation given by the Transvaal to the Chartered Company for their rights and for what has been spent on the country.”

In City circles, although some scheme to include Rhodesia in the South African Union would surprise no one, the price mentioned is considered ludicrous, tho total share and debenture capital of the Chartered Company, with the premiums on its value established by the recent “boom,” amounting to very much less than £20,000,000.
Daily Mail, July 5th.