The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-26 00:00:00

THE BOERS.

r e
(Front the Cape Argus of el pril 20.)
A deplorable
the
F and
tabtleooadnydwtah Basutu n
re
hasatlasta
queetion, which Sir George Clerk left unsettled on the
disgraceful abandonment of the sovereignty by the
brokention. T
out
e
h
between
British Government, and the organised system of thiev-
ing instituted by the B.,sutus in order to drive out the
Boers from the territory claimed by both parties. Me-
sheet), the paramount chief of the Basutus, has tried in
vain to put an end to this constant thieving, which
affords but too plausible a pretext to the Boers for hos-
tilities. The real cause is the fierce desire to possess
themselves of the lands of the natives, which the Boers
consider have been given to them by God for a posses.
:ion, and it is well known that this unrighteous war was
resolved on two years ago by the Free State Volksraad,
sitting with closed doors. Moshesh has several times
appealed to the Governor of this colony to mediate or
arbitrate, but without effect. The Cape Parliament also
stands aloof. The truth is, any war is popular with the
majority of colonists, which tends to secure more land
for the whites, and to break up the black races. Cape
colonists are directly interested in this war, ter there is
a constant emigration of our best settlere going on from
the co'ony to the Free State caused partly by the
aversion to the Government, or rather to its vacillating
policy. The Governor seems to have committed him •
self to the policy indicated above, and is supposed
to regard, if not with satisfaction, at any rats with
indifference, the deeds of spoliation and murder now
taking place just beyond our birders. If the war
continues any length of time, the colony must become
involved in it. All that has been done to prevent
this, is the issue of a proclamation, forbidding colo-
nial subjects from crossing the Orange River, though
no measures that have come to light have been taken to
prevent them, bat, on the contrary, insidious atempts
are being made, by spreading false reports, to induce
the Basutus within celental limits to criminate them-
selves, by participating in the war, apparently with the
object of being down upon them if they do so. A large
party of the mounted police force, under Commandant
Currie, is watching their movements. But nothing will,
probably, prevent the partisans within the colony, of
both parties, from going to assist their countrymen.
The war commenced by the Boers, by order of President
Boshof, attacking and sacking the French missionary.
station of Beersheba, within the Free State boundaries,
and massacreing its unoffending inhabitants. A great
quantity of cattle and other property was captered.
Various collisions and reprisals have taken place, gene.
rally resulting in favour of the Boers, and in considerable
loss of life to the Basutus ; but the main forces on either
side have not yet come into contact. The Beers are
concentrating with the intention of attacking Mostiesh
near his stronghold of Thaba Bossiou. The Basutus
are numerically strong, but they are a peaceful and un-
warlike people, very different from the frontier Kafir,
and both intelligent and industrious, and far from bar-
barous. If something be not shortly done for them, they
will be destroyed. All this comes of the shamefel want
of faith on the part of the British Government towards
native tribes, which it undertook to protect and after-
wards abandoned. The field-pieces used at Beersheba
were, we believe, presents made by Sir G. Clerk, and
others are daily expected, which Sir G. Grey undertook
to send home for, for his friend Boshof. A large order
for gunpowder, lead, and muskets has been received in
the colony from the Free State, but the unfortunate
Basutus are not allowed to have an ounce. All this is
called non-interference. The philanthropists have not
yet begun to lift up their eyes and hands in pious horror
at these iniquities ; it will be time enough for that when
the Bee utus have nothing left to lose, and are reduced to
a condition worse than slavery.