Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-06-29
JUSTICE IN SOUTH AFRICA.
The story Of a KaGr Tribe and IA
Treatment by the English Troops.


An interesting debate took place few
days since in the British Parliament on
the trial of the Zulu chief, Laugalibalele,
ann the circumstances connected with
the so called Ks6r outbreak in the colo
ny of Natal in the autumn OF 1873 In
that colony-which is about one.third the
size OF England, with some $4,000 inhab-
itants OF European descent, and a native
population more than ten times as large
the removal OF Ka6r tribe, with its
cattle. beyond the borders of the state
without having first obtained the permis-
sion Of the authorities, is deemed illegal,
and in itself almost an overt act OF re-
bellion. fhH
The Hiwbi tribe having had some dis,
agreement with the Natal government
about the registration of guns given them
for working in the diamond fields, deter.
mined to seek a more congenial soil
The last detachment of the tribe had
reached place called Busman's River
Pass, near the frontier, when it was over
taken by an armed forced Of the colonies
sent in pursuit. A long parley ensued
which ended in fighting and the death Of
FIVE Englishmen. For these few random
shots, fred in fear and anger, a terrible
revenge was taken. The pursuit of the
Ka6rs was continued with larger body
of volunteers; the tribe, with an allied
one even less guilty, was broken up, its
goods and chattels we're pillaged or de-
stroyed the women and children were
thrown into virtual slavery, and their
lands we're ravaged. Their chief Ian
galibalele, who at the time of the skir-
mish was miles in advance with another
portion of bis people, was placed on
trial, the main charge against him being
that he was directly responsible for the
death OF the FIVE volunteers.
The tribunal before whom the unfortu-
nate man was arrsigned was remarkably
constituted, and bis trial was one of the
most extraordinary on record. The pre-
siding judge was Sir Benjamin Pine, the
governor Of the colony and commander
in chief Of its military, while the rest OF
the court was made up Of chief Of tribes
hostile to the prisoner, and Of colonists,
Among the white judges was the father
Of one of the young men for whose kill
ing the accused was on trial. The pris
oner's plea, in which some of the facts
alleged we're admitted while it was aver
red that the conclusion drawn from them
was entirely erroneous, though in reality
a plea Of not guilty, was at once con-
str1ed as a plea Of guilty, and six Of the
judges pronounced judgment against
him. On the following morning it was
announced that the court would then
proceed to hear evidence, the purpose
being to place on record the extent Of
the prisoners crime" Witnesses were
examined for the next Eve days, and
then Laugalibele was sentenced to i'm
prisonment for life on an island He was
found guilty Ct having permitted his
tribe to possess firearms, of insulting q
magistrates messenger, Of regarding
the summons of the Natal government,
and finally Of the willfnl murder of the
five volunteers. The admitted fact that
he was far in front of the retreating force,
and had had no personal communication
with those who fred the fatal shsts, was
considered an insufficient defense, on the
grouLd that Mebuble, who actually con- =
manded the combatants, was found in
company with Langalibslele when The
latter was arrested
On the third day cf the trial, the pris.
ouer, on being asked if he should like
counsel Sreplied in the affirmative. The
barrister, however, was sent for, was told
that he could not see his client, nor be
allowed to say anything save in extenua-
ton of his guilt, because that had been
admitted. Naturally the lawyer refused
to take the case under such conditions.
Bishop Colenso interested himself in
the cause of the unfortunate Kafr, and
visited England mainly to plead his
cause. Sir Benjamin Pines report to
the colonial Office was considered so far
from satisfactory that he was relieved as
governor of Natal. Earl Carnarvon has
denounced the illegality of the whole
proceedings, THE servants of the crown
are bound" he says, to have con-
science in this matter, and bound, also,
to have a voice; and when an act of
wreng or injustice has been done in any
part of the empire, it is their duty to no
tics it. 1T is not a question" said the
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