The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-08-24 00:00:00

THE CAFFRE WAR.

A Correspondent of The• Times, writing from King Wil
Ham's Town, British Caffraria, on Julyl7, says:—

"Our frontier war may now be fairly considered at
an end and its somewhat abrupt termination need;
perhaps, a little explanation. For many weeks pre-
vious to Sandilli's death the Caffres had keenly fell
the pinch of hunger, and disease was rapidly spreading
among them. The great majority of the rebels would,
without doubt, have readily laid down their arms and
submitted willingly to any punishment the Govern-
ment might have thought fit to inflict upon them;
but, to use their own words, "they were merely dogs
who followed their master." This has been the plea of
many a Caffre recently tried and sentenced for sedition
and there is much reason in the words. The Gaikas were
beyond question, simply 'the dogs of their chief,'
and they ran hither and thither at is beck aid
call. Although in theory a British subject, Sandili
was practically an independent chief, and he exet-
cised despotic power over his people whenever he
chose to do so. Our Government simply pretended
to govern him, and was always half afraid of hin.
The wily savage knew what a hold he had on hit
tribe, and he also knew that this would be his las;
struggle with the white man; and when beater
back at all points on open ground he, in sheet
desperation, betook himself to the mountains, pro-
bably with the intention of wearying his pur-
suers and obtaining peace on terms favourable to him-
self. The greater portion of his tribe fought because
their chief fought. They were born to abject sub-
mission to their despotic master, and his will was their
law. At the outset they fought with bravery and
enthusiasm; and though defeat followed defeat,
though the Snider daily thinned their ranks, though
etarvation and disease aggravated their misery, no
semblance of disaffection towards their wanton, un-
scrupulous leader ever manifested itself. They were
tired of fighting, but their chief was not; so they kept
the field with him, and for him alone. The career
has happily been cut short, and his death aEorded an
opportunity to surrender which his followErs were
not slow to accept. Very many have received a free
pardon from the Government, but a few influential or
especially active rebels have been singled out as men
to whom this clemency cannot be extended. For-
tunately, the most important men among thit latter
class of rebels have recently been captured and
are now in gaol awaiting trial. The captive rebels
include pretty well all Sandilli's family, Dad of
this the eldest son, Edmund Sandilli, is, per-
haps, the most interesting member. Through the
courtesy of the Civil Commissioner of the dis-
trict, I was permitted to visit this individual
in prison to-day. He is a young man of abcut
, five-and-twenty years of age: his features are well
formed, and altogether his appearance is prenossessing.
He has received a good English education, and up to
the time of the out-break he filled the post of magis-
trate's clerk at Middle Drift. But neither this well-
paid employment nor the possession of land and cattle
could preserve him from the war-fever infection. He
joined his father shortly after hostilities commenced,
and has fallen into our hands only within the last few
days. He seemed disinclined to be communica-
tive, and answered my questions with great
caution and deliberation. I inquired why he,
a man of sense and education so madly jeopardized
his life by rebelling against the Government, whose
power he was so well acquainted with. His reply
was—' People say I have been fighting, but I went to
my father to dissuade him, from war, and I remained
with him in the bush vainly endeavouring to bring
hostilities to a peaceful termination.' He told me that
several thousand Gaikas had lost their lives while
actually fighting, and that disease and starvation had
carried off large numbers of the fugitives in the moun-
tains. He appears to be very unconcerned about his
fate, and looks quite comfortable and happy in his cell.
When I was about to leave, he anxiously begged me to
provide him with a few articles of diet which are not
included in the prison fare, and he seemed much grati-
fied when I promised to send him sugar and white
bread. _ _

" A special Circuit Court has just been held in this
town for the purpose of thinning the gaols of their
rebel occupants. Large numbers of Gaikas have been
sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from
three to 15 years, but it is understood that in all
ordinary cases the Government will remit the sentence
when peace is fully restored. Employment will be
provided on the railways and other public works for
all natives in need of assistance, and it is expected
that very many will avail themselves of this help in
consequence of the scarcity of food."