The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-03
GREAT BRITAxN AND TIE aoERs.
Sketch OF tho Rise and Progress OF the
Tr0ns-Yaal Repuhlic.

sketch OF tho Rise and Progress OF the
Trans-Vaal Republic.
J When Great Britain, IN her gust for
empire, took possession of Cape Colo
ny, Ill the southern extremity of Afri-
ca, she found thrifty white popula-
ton, emigrants from Holland and
their descendants, who had penetrated
those unknown latitudcs and planted
prosperous colonies. AS the English
become stronger these Dutch farmers,
or Boers, penetrated northward till
| they crossed the Vaal River, and here
settled. Each settler occupied several
thousand acres Of land, and with his
locks and herds was Il law unto him
sell. No organized government pre-
vailed, and there was no one to en-
force The law had there been any to
disobny.
Several years ago Dutch Reformed
Clergyman Of great eloauence and zeal,
named burgers, was called from Cane
Colony 10 become president Of the
Trans Vaal Republic. Endeavoring
to work out reforms, he found two
tactions were thereby created, the
progrcssists and tho Renctionists.
Trouble began by refusal to nav O.
war tax, caused by quarrel with the
nations, and then even the regular tax
was resisted. Three presidential can
didates come to the tront-Burgers, for
reelection, Kruger and Joubert. Still
fourth faction desired to import q
president from Cape Colony. In this
State Of anarchy England interviewed
with spccions promises. The diamond
fields and gold mines in this part Of
the world rendered annexation desira-
bic to the British government. A half
million COflres became troublesome on
the borders, and before tho Beers
| knew what they wcrc.about they had
agreed to annexation. Great Britain
thus acquired territory larger than
France, without drop of blood, and
at the cost of Il million dollars in bad
debts of the Republic.
so matters rested until few weeks
ago, when some delinquent taxpayers
resisted arrest and put the British po-
lice to flight. With this rs a pretext
the Beers rose in arms and surround
ed the British garrisons in the differ
ent quarters before help could come
rom Cape Colony. This is tho condi-
tion now. These garrisons arc be-
lcaguercd, and a British force under
Sir George Colley, the "Von Moltke"
| - y. Hs@o hiI'uih, Sclil 10 lnClr rCllG1
has been repulscd with heavy loss, and
is himself on the defensive. If tho
garrisons surrender, as they are now
expected to do, the Bocrs will be able
to secure some artillery, Of which they
now have none at all.
AL accounts concur that The Bocrs
are thoroughly armed and that the old
men, women and preachers are urging
them on into desperate conflict with
the invaders. The Beers arc hardy
anu active, expert marksmcn and fine
horscmcn, and they can mustcrscvcral
thousand men.
The conflict promises to bo quite
| bloody unless England re inouishes
her prctensions, rs is demanded bv q
considerable portion of Parliament
who oppose these foreign aggressions.
All parties agree, however, that the
gnlriSons must be succorcd and the
rights of British citizens secured in
any event.
The Trans-Vaal problem is another
OF the perplcXing questions that har-
asses Mr.. Gladstonc's administration
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