The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-07
The Tronblcs in South Africa.

What Is tho scope and origin Of the dis
turhancc which has lately broken out on the
northwestern frontier Of the British posses
sions IN South Africa This * matter
which deserves n share Of public attention,
since, according 10 adyiccs from tho Cape,
the present contest threatens graver oon-e-
qucucos than any which have attended the
border warfare in that region.
There II no doubt that for upward OF thirty
years the moet formidable element OF unocr-
tanty in South African affairs has been the
cloud Of 10000 warriors said to be con-
trollcd by the King OF zululand. The pros
perlty and even the existence Of the settle
mcnis in Natal and the Transvaal have been
thought 10 hinge upon the maintenance of
an amicablc compact with this kalirarian
pOtentatc. II Is known that tho kafllrs in
general have shown themselves far more
intractable than the Hottontots with whom
the Dutch colonists had TO deal. But Of the
Zulus we are told that while their habits
and institutions are similar TO those of the
southern kaflrs, the character Of the race
IS signally virile and determined. Not only
are their levies tolerably disciplined, but
we'll equipped, some five thousand carbines
yearly having for some time past reached
them. So rcsolute and trustworthy are these
Zulus that it has long been customary for
the Natal authorities 20 turn their services
to account In the native police. In a word
they are tho Sikhs OF Africa, and we may
add that their border raids are marked with
none OF the atrocities OF savage warfare,
but are conducted with regular formalltlcs
and even a rude sort Of chlyalry.
To keep the Zulus quiet ought to be, appa-
rontly. main object OF the British Gov
ernors; but there are scarcely two opinions
IN the Cape Colony as TO where the onus OF
the present quarrel really lies When Natal
was annexed by the English in 1912, treaty
was made with the Zulu King fixing the
limits Of his territory, and expressly
ignoring the eXtraVagant claims OF the
Dutch settlers. Meanwhile, however, in the
adjoining Independent State of the Trans
vaal the Holandcrs renewed the system OF
veXatious encroachmonts, securing, first, an
informal permission to Craze, and then con-
| strung this privilege into n title Of full
ownership. Against these trospassos the
! Zuus have constantly complained to their
English ncighbors, and their present King,
| KATsHwAYo, has bcsought the leave of the
Natal Government to rcpel tho Dutch with
| force, and satisfy the longing of his war
uors to "wash their spears" Outbreaks
occurred, and the complete destruction OF
the Hollanders was only hindered by an
assurance that a political change was immi-
nent, after which the Zulus might procure
redress. Now the change has taken place
The Transyaal region was in its turn
brought under the British crown, but tho
authorities presently betrayed, by delays
and qulhbo5 Of all kinds, an intention not
to recognize the Zulu claim.
! This action on the part ~ the British
| Government was as unwise as it was trcach-
erous since the force Mt its disposal in
the Irousyaal did not exceed 5000 men
These troops have proved quite made
quato 20 protect the Dutch settlers from
tho storm of invasion which has swept
oyor their frontier during the past sis
months. This is only ono side Of tho dill
Guilty, The contagion Of revolt has sproao
TO Natal The Zulu police employed in that
country haye mutnicd, English colonist,
are fleeing to the coasts and the new csiab
l7hmont at Delagoa Bay, on the site pur
chased from tho Portuguese Is seriously
mcnaccd. Hitherto the Zulu King, KATsH
wAYo, has pretended not TO sanction TIN
action OF subordinate leaders; but the now
now received makes IL plain enough tina
no has thrown Off the mask This chief
whose military resources II would be mis-