New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-29
IN AFRICANDER LAND.
COMPLICATIONS WITH WHICH PREMlEh
CECIL RHODES HAS TO wRESTLE.

recent date that ia agitating the public mind in
these reoions concerns a revision of the Colonial
franchise The question is whether South Africa
shall be ruled entirely by the whites, or whether
the natives whose territories are being rapidly
absorbed by the Colony shall have any franchise
power In case of party dissolution in the future
on the lines of color, another serious comphca-
ton will arise aside from that which already
exists among the Africanders whose opinions
differ on the trek business. How keen the strug-
gle may become it is impossible to say, but an
opposition that would make the franchise the
important consideration would prove disastrous
to both political parties. Dissension in the ranks
is becoming prevalent and a spirit of personal
vengeance will be the result.
Cecil Rhodes, Prime Minister of the Cape,
aroused the animosities Of neighboring countries
by his measures against the Free Trekkers. lie
was determined that no new independent colonies
should be established. 1t is his intention to open
up the country far as the Iambesi, which he
thinks is the boundary Of the region where the
white man can live and TO bring the whole terri
tory under the rule of one government, whose
capital shall be CapetOwn. He advocates unity
of government, but forgets that the existing
independent States do not wish TO belong to his
unit. His opponents claim that Mr.. Rhodes and
lsh an empire of their own in South Africa.
England does not favor the annexation of the
whole territory of South Africa not occupied by
independent States TO the Cape Colony. She sees
a possible usurpaton of her own supremacy in
those regions, so prefers to control the new ket-
Elements herself Cape Colony has made every
effort TO keep the trade interest in her region.
Mr.. Rhodes is pushing a railway through the
settlement to the Zambesi, which will help to
promote union among the colonies, but will not
result in all the advantages that the Cape Colo
nists anticipated On the other hand Iambesl
will want a government of her own as soon as
her trade and population warrant her in taking
measures to procure her own independence. OaPe
Colony is too far away 10 expect to regulate lor
any great length of time a colony whose interests
are entirely foreign to her own. She has hou
yet learned that she cannot dOmlncer over
country capable of self-gOvernment.
Mr. Rhodes occupies two seemingly Incompatible
Positions head of the British South Africa oon-
pany depending upon the capital and ala OF the
British Government, and as Prime Minister of the
Cape depending upon Africander votes. He en-
deavors to gain the favor of Imperialists at home
and of the most urgent advocates OF local lnde-
pendence He advocates Imperialism on the one
hand and Africa for the AfricanGers" on the
other He even ignores the policy OF the Alrl-
cander Bond in pushing some of his measures, not
withstanding that his strongest support comes from
this association.
Mr. Rhodess plans for alotting the farms OF
the territory proclaimed to be within the sphere
of British influence and in the possession of the
company were laid before the Africander Bond az
the meeting last April. He thinks that the farms
should be given out, subject 10 a reasonable quit
rent to those applicants deemed most suitable to
carry on the farming in new country. While
there will be no objection when opportunity offers
for the admission of farmers from Transvaal, Free
State and other South African communities, still
in the final settlement OF the country-with the
consent Of the High Commissioncr-no undue
preference will be shown to them over
Her Maiestys subjects from Cape Colony or
elsewhere Every intending farmer will be re-
duired TO sign a declaration that on entering the
territory he will respect the flag and be under the
Chartered Company's laws, which will be based in
principle on those of Cape Colony with the right
of appeal from the local courts to the Supreme
Court in Capetown.
The trek organized in Transvaal with the in
tention of taking possession of part of this terri
tory and establishing a Republican government has
all along received the appreciation and encourage
ment of the South African Republicans. They be
insures protection against the growth of Imperial
ism, which they have learned TO dread. They claim
that Mr.. Rhodes desires 10 gain name in history
at their expense, and that his sentiment is TO
create an English Empire in South Africa. This
they will not tolerate and they resent his attack
upon the republics.
That the desired territory is subject TO the
British Crown is a statement that the natives
themselves claim is untrue In proclamation
made in August, 1890, they declare that Sebasha
and NiOzObe are the paramount chiefs, captains,
kings and rulers of the nation, and that the
Majaiers are the only lawful and peace loving
inhabitants and pOssessors Of the land and terri
tory adjoining on the south the LmpOpe, on the
east and northeast the Ummezea nation, and TO
the west the territory Of the Matabee people.
And further in the Of the proclamation
they declare 1t is with the greatest pain and
regret that il has come to our notice that an ex.
petition or campaign against our land and people
is being made to through Matabcland and
ours TO rob people of their rights and liberties
and arbitrarily and unlawfully take posse sion
of our country. We protest in the name OF hui
mainly and justice against such an unjust and
cruel deed, and we call upon all peoples of tho
earth TO protest against this unlawful action and
to request the mighty Queen of Great Britain, the
great Empress of India and Ireland, 10 prevent
her subjects from coming into country under
the Rhodes and CARSON expedition, disturbing our
peace and robbng us of our independence And
they proclaim that they will retain and defend
their country and their rights with the last
drop of their blood. They ask for the assistance
of the burghers Of South Africa in
averting the raids Of the troublesome neghboring
tribes who have made repeated efforts to conquer
the peace-loving Mojaiers. The protest and proc
| lamation which signed by the great chiefs
| Sebasha and Mozabe, and by eighteen councillors.
| Mas placed in the hands of a committee Of burgh-
ers TO be placed before the Powers of Europe, ask
! ing for intervention for their rights
But here the complications became deeper
| Portugal steps TO the front and claims that she
has undoubted right in this territory, by former