The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-04
SOME TRANSyAAL HISTORY.
An Ex-SOIdier Thinks the Beers
Should BE Subjected.

CHICAGO, Jan. 3.-Some civilized country
will eventually take possession of the
Transvaal for the good of the Beers and
foreigners alike, according to one man in
Chicago. who fought against the Beers in
the last war. The Boer hates a foreigner,
no matter from what country he comes.
and is doing his best to drive the English,
Americans and Germans from his territory
by excessive taxation and a refusal to al
low them representation in the legislature.
The Transvaal Is situated in the center of
British and German colonies, and the in
ability of the Beers to prevent uprisings
of the natives has also made the territory
a continual menace to the surrounding
country. According to the Chicago man.
this rs bound to result in the foreigners
taking the government Of the Transvaal
into their own hands.
Henry +. Grierson, Of Rand, McNally &
Co., was the commander of the irregular
forces under the British flag during the
last war with the Beers. Like many of the
best fighters in the English army. Mr.
Grierson is an Irishman. When the Beers
threw off the yoke of the British a few
years ago he was transferred from his own
regiment and given the command OF the
native cavalry troops which went to the
front at once. He came out of the cam
paign with a hearty disgust of Beers and
of W. L. Gladstone, to whose vacillating
policy he attributed the defeat of the Brit
ism and the ceding back OF the Transvaal
to its former owners. The Beers yielded
the country 10 the English for services
rendered in driving out. the fighting natives.
When the Transvaal was cleared the Beers
changed their minds and wanted their
country back, according TO Mr.. Grerson
Then there was war and victory for the
The country in which Dr. Jameson has
met with defeat" said Mr.. Grierson yes
terday, was ceded To the English in 1873,
and il would be the best thing in the world
if some civilized nation would compel the
Beers 10 treat the foreigners in the prop
or way. This will come about some day,
for the Beers are an unprogressive race.
ignorant and stupid.
Years before the Beers wanted to turn
over the land to England and make it a
protectorate, the farmers had TO fight for
their lives and homes against the natives,
who disputed every inch of ground. The
incursions OF the kaffirs became SO num-
erouS and so disastrous to the farmers that
they at last called on the British for aid.
Sir TbeopRilus Shepstone made a treaty
with the Beers in 1875, which was afterward
ratified by the Boer legislature, by which
the TransvaaI was TO be handed over to
us. We were TO drive out the natives and
pay the debts incurred by the Beers in
lighting the Kaffirs. These debts amounted
british troops were Immediately sent out
from England TO beat back the trouble
some natives. Cetewayo's army OF warriors
was defeated and the Zulu king captured.
other tribes were thrust further north. and
the Transvaal was at last at peace and no
longer menace TO the surrounding colo
MES When the Beers were settled down
and enjoying a period OF unparalleled peace
some contentious spirits began to agitate
the question of the Transvaal for the Beers.
The latter finally came 10 the conclusion
that they ought to get back their country.
The politicians in England took advantage
OF this 10 raise the party cry against the
policy OF keeping the Boer out OF his own.
Just before the general election in 1880 Mr.
Gladstone made speech. in which he said
he favored the ceding back OF the Trans
vaal The Liberal party was victorious,
and Mr. Gladstone was returned 10 power
But the Prime Minister changed his mind
about the transfer 70 the Beers. and the
latter Immediately commenced hostilities
1.-THE Beers are towards. but they are
snlendld shots. They could never be got to
face the rebellious natives. II they could
not ne safely infrenched at long range where
they could use their rifles with effect they
usually retreated before rush OF Kaffir
warriors. War had been declared but a
regiment of English soldiers was still out
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