New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-16

IN IRISHM1N AMONG THE BOERS.

THE CAREER on ALFRED AWKWARD IN SOUTH
AFMCA-HIs VIEW OF IRISH AFFAIRS
In the appeal which the committee upon the pro-
posed reception to Alfred Aylward Commandant
of the Transvaal Republic, South Africa. recently
issued it is stated that Mr.. Alyward is here for
the purpose of setting before the people OF the
United States many facts Of interest relating to
the successful resistance of the Beers to British ag
gresson and to certain features of the of $751;
by which the British retain nomina suzerainty over
tie Transvaa, thereby excluding its people and
20 7ernment from the benefits of direct consular
communication with the United States and other
governments. That this selfish and obstructive pol
icy of England is injurious to American interests, is
proved by The fact that nearly all the agricultural
instruments and great proportion Of the wheeled
vehicles in use in the Free states of S0uth Africa
were, up to 1881, of American manufacture
NOrthwarl and westward in those States there Is
wide field now practically cosed) for the INTRODUCE
ton of American manufactures. American in
terests also involved IN the opening OF Central
African trade by the way of DelegOa Bay, port
exceptionally privileged by the treaty between tho
Transvaal and Portugal but which is practically
closed to the world through English rivalry which
seeks 80 cOnine the Iransyaal and the interior to
the of the inefficient and costly Natal Railroad
route. The appeal also states that Mr.. Awkward de-
sres further to illustrate many of the events OF the
late war; particularly with view to explaining tho
causes Of the notable decline in British power
eylneed therein.
A TRIBUNE reporter called upon Mr.. Myward
few evenings ago and was greeted with the cordial
warmth OF "a true lrlshman Mr. Aylward Is OF
medium height, with full beard and black curly
hair and mpresses one rs a man OF much vlvacty
and determination. He was born at New Ross
County of Wexford in 1915. He was reared op-
pOsIte Vinegar Hill and, after passing through the
preparatory schools of his native town. entered
Iullerberg College, where he distinguished himself
by winning every prize offered for scholarship
After graduating lie travelled on the Continent,
studied medicine at Dublin and consPred IN Lon
don bat not IN connection with the fenlans. IFS
tastes led him into journalism, where he soon be-
came known as vigorous writer. Wnen Tue
Zulu war had been finished the Ed tor of The Natal
FITNESS went to England and Awkward succeeded
him in the management OF that paper lie con-
Quoted The Wiaess, in the face of its almost wholly
English constituency, as South African repuOl-
can journal and converted it i'll fact into an agency
OF the Beers. II being generally known IN South
| Africa that Awkward was trustworthy agent and
| friend of the Beers, lie was constantly inter
viewed to their threats and intentions, and rs
| constantly warned his questoners that the
Beers we're not 70 be tri1ed with, and were pre-
pared to fight for their Independence. Unfortu-
nately, Official falsehOods were believed and it
became fashionable to sheer at the Beers to express
contempt for their fighting powers, ana to insult
them by saying that they would never tight at all;
Ii was also prOvokingy urged that only small
minority OF the Transvaal people urged on by
indictments like Joubert and Awkward. were dis
satisfied with British rule Ayward was ac ually
in a government house i'll conference with Sir
George Coey. when the news OF the opening of the
conflict IN the Transvaal arrived. As soon AS no
could he gave up The Hitness edtorshIp. and on
the day OF the battle at Langskeck. he rode on to
JOnbert he acted his adviser and occasionally AS
his secretary adutant- general and III fact III any
capacity in which he could be found useful He was
present among others at the battle CT Mauba at the
close of which, he found himself IN charge OF all the
prisoners and wounded. Sir George C0loy's body
was also given i'll his charge and he took steps TO
have it returned to the British lines General JOu-
bert sent him to supersede General STEM whose
siege of Leydenburg was advancing too slowly. He
renamed in that district until the close of the war;
when he sent TO the meeting OF the BOer Raa1
On the discovery that the lransvaal would remain
under the suzerainty of Great Britain. he was
elected 10 travel abroad until some steps c0ud %
taken to get rid Of that humIatIng yoke, which no
hopes will be upon the termination OF the rule Ot
John Brand the Governor Of the Orange States. On
IRISH affairs Mr.. Aylward was very pronounced IN
his opinions. He said: The democratic party OF
England in February, through Chanberlain and
others having great influence with the CaDinet,
was induced TO make large concessions % lrelant.
But this policy was based on the wholly mistaken
belief that Irish nationality can be conciated
away or put out of existence. They had not then
| learned as they did learn after that sentI-
ment lay at the bottom of lrelands resistance to
England that resented messages OF peace anu CON
cessIOns,' as insults, and considered them rs M
| pertinent. Since them the Cabinet has discovered
that Ireland is only to be- recOncled by complete
recognition of its nationality, but IT refuses To no
that IL feels that it Is unable to unsay all that ~
has previously said, and to recant ITS whole ed OIL
| the past. For my own part accept every move
| ment that tends to gain anything, however small
| fol the Irish either rs individuals or as nation
But if every acre of land were gwen TO the lrisG;
| and Ireland were granted a national army, ana az
| offices in the State given To her people
would still be glad to further every possible InJye-
| ment for the destruction of the British monarchy
which, with the Irish connection. IS the curso OF
the two countries 1t is pretty well 80 with all tno
| lrshmen | know. They resent the presence OF mo
stranger, and look uDon his Dement'S rs proceeuihs
from an impairment assumption o, Rrh;s cam
| which prOvOkes an irrecOneilable SPIRIT lW~ c'n'
not be satisfied until Ireland IL wDOliy lhuePc"'
dent and republic"