The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-31
THE BoFRs, GRIEVANCE.

A dispatch from johannesburg. South
Africa, relates that there is trouble IN
the Transvaal over the efforts OF for
e.gners to obtain equal political rights
with the Beers. This apparently just
claim Is not so innocent as Il looks. al
though the probability is that before
many years the foreigners VIII prevail.
The Transvaal republic has been for near
ly half century peopled by the descend
ants OF early Dutch settlers in the more
southerly part Of Africa. in the territory
now forming the British Cape Colony.
Partly mixed with Kaffir blood, but not
much so, the Beers have remained In COM
parative stagnation. They are avaricious
OF land and their farms often comprise
from 900 10 1900 acres. They improve
but little OF their land, depending upon
the raising OF cattle and sheep for wool
as the chief means of subsistence. They
live frugally and are without ambition.
Passing around them to the east and north
tens OF thousands Of Europeans and Amer
leans have opened up new territory. de-
veloped mines, constructed roads, built up
towns and are projecting a railroad.
Wealth hitherto sleeping in the ground
has been awakened. making the world
richer, as riches are measured. by over
500. 600 600 in a few years. The proximity
OF the new development to the Transvaal
has vitalized It's business centers. and hun
dreds OF foreigners have fiocleed into the
capital, Pretoria. They are the progress
slve part of the population. but they have
suffered from the vigorous laws which
deprive them Of a voice In promoting i'm
provements which increasing population
has made almost necessary.
The Beers, who have twice "trekked'
Northward Ia order to escape the activity
and turmoil Of restless Adventures. and
in order to enjoy the sluggish life OF an
interior farmer. revolt against the whole
proceeding Although railroads and popu-
latlon have made a reader and more
profitable market. they pine for the day
when wool and hides were transported in
trains OF wagons drawn by eight and ten
pairs Of oxen through the drifts and
across the YIELDS TO the shouts Of the
voerlooper and the crack Of the massive
and merciiess whips.
They have. IL may be said on their be-
half. seen the surrounding country over
run. Kaffraria. Basutoland. Zuiuland.
Griqnaland. AIatabeleland and Bechuana-
land brought under English domination.
the chartered company securing no less
than 5000 square miles of the territory Of
one chief. Khams, alone. They fear that
the concession OF political rights TO for
eigners is but the entering wedge for for
eign control Of their beloved republic; and
no doubt IL is. But 1t seems as IL the rest
less waters OF commerce must inevitably
wear their way into every conner. and the
unprogressive peoples Of the world are be-
ing driven still further into the Businesses
with the aboriginal races and the wild ami
mails. So vast IL the continent that these
waters seem now like only the outstretch-
Ell fingers OF the incoming sea feeling their
tentative way into the most accessible lines
OF travel but he richness OF the soil and
OF the rock win tempt the tide to rise
until the Unknown continent viii be as
familiar as the once wide wastes OF North
America one can pity the Boer. but the
eventual good TO mankind affords some
compensation for the peaceful invasion.