New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-22
ANOTHER REVOLT AGAINST ENGLAND.

The British Government Is now required TO
deal with rebellion in another quarter. Five
thousand Beers have taken possession OF
Heidelberg in the Transyaal, and rcestabllshed
the Republic, with Paul Kruger as President.
The Dutch settlers who were deprived OF the
privileges of self government, have reathrmed
their independence at moment when the
British colonies III South Africa are monaced
with a wide-spTeading native outbreak. De-
tween Natal and Cape Colony Is strip OF
country 200 miles wide, stretching from the
Orange Free State to the sea, and inhabited by
q dozen leading tribes. These tribes are now
in on II revolt in BasutCland and in the
quarter occupied by the POndomlse. The sklr-
misbing has been mdecisive thus far, but the
Basntos have shown themselves to be better
soldiers than the Zulus, and the Colonial forces
a1e menaced at several points. A serious de-
feat NAV lead to a general uprising OF the
blocks from Cape Colony to Natal, and the
Colonial authorities are reported to be panic
stricken 1t is in crisis like this that the Dutch
Republic, which was tOrcibly annexed to the
British Crown, bids defiance to the Power which
has invaded its territory and taken away its
liberties.
That the annexation of the Transvaal was
crime cannot be questioned by anyone VINO has
studied the recent policy of the British in South
Africa. The immortality OF forcing peaceabie
colonlsts TO accept an alien government winch
they detesed was so glazing that English writer's
have never ventured to defend it on any other
ground than that of political necessity. The
original pretext was this The Beers had in
Cured the hostility of Cetywayo, and their de-
feat would emboden him TO attack Natal. The
Transvaal was accordingly annexed, osiensibly
10 prevent the outbreak OF hostlllnes IN Zulu
land but no sooner was this policy carried INTO
effect than an ultmatum which Cetywayo could
not grant without FORGETTING his crown was dis
Matched and his country was invaded. In this
way political crime committed under the pre-
text that it was necessary in order to avert wal
WAS followed by an aggressive war policy. Un-
inst and unwise as the annexation OF the Trans
vaal undoubtedly was, the treatment which the
Rasutos have received at the hands OF the Colo
NAL Government is even more INSCRIPTIONS
and short-sighted. This tnbe had been loyal
and faithful to the British, fighting repeatedly
on their side, and living contentedly under
their rule. The colonial traders had sold them
arms and ammunition, and the officials bad
GLADLY received aid from them in subjUgating
hostile tribes f; DuJ WITCH iHt HRntlhS was oNci,
these faithful blacks, who had been most loyal
allies in the field, were told that they must give
I'D their arms and sell their lands to white set
tiers. The BasutOs would not consent to this
policy of disarmament, especially as neghbor-
ING tribes who had been faithess when they
had been faithful were allowed to keep their
arms. The revolt has assumed large proper
tons, and the Colonial Government, which
began with ATTEMPTING to disarm its friends, is
now armng several other tribes and hiring
them TO do its fighting.
II must be borne in mind that this
series of blundeIs and crimes, beginning
with the annexation OF the Transvaal and
the invasion of Zululand, and ending with
the disarmament policy in Basutoland, was
| committed for the sake OF promoting an imprac-
ticable scheme of confederation. The collapse
| of That scheme during the past year has been
complete. Cape Colony has refused to take
part in it, and the policy of disarmament which
| II has been enforcing has alionated the sympa-
| thies of Natal. The Cape Government and the
| garrisons in the Transvaai now find themselves
| helpless, and are looking to the Imperial Gov
ernment for help and the British Ministry,
which has been warning them that they must
look out for themselves, is now dragged into
| the conflict against its will.