The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-03
SUNDAY. MAY g. 1896.
THE RIGHT or TUE TRANsyAAL
ON.


The people OF this country are unaonbi-
edly taking a very nveiy interest m me
Affairs OF the Transvaal-a tar greater
interest. indeed. than they are accuatom-
ell 10 take in foreign concerns. They
look, therefore. for anything that SHEDS
light upon what is now going or there
We found the following paragraph IN
the Washington Post Of a day or 50
back:
IAN eIe Beer Inhabitants OF the lrans-
wal q few years ago We're either farm
ers or drivers of bull teams-ireishlcrs,
l believe YOU call them in American,
said Mr.. Edward Lang, or London. al
the Hotel Page. "On the discovery OF
the gold mines the natives for me most
part sold their lands. and hence the Ut
landers. or foreigners, OWN threciOufths
OF the country. They also pay 70 per
cent. OF all the taxes but the Beers give
them no voice IN legislating: nor can any
uitlander vote until he has INed theIe
for ten years. unless he happens 10
come from Holland. IN which case ne
IS given all the rights OF citizenship a,
once.
The Englishmen and ali other foreign
schools, where nothing but che Dutch
language Is taught. So that while the
former pay all the taxes tnaN support
the schools ticy haven't word TO say
as TO how they shall be conducted. the
Uoer government. which is really des-
potism operated by Kruger ana TWO or
three others, blceds the foreign element
systematically. For instance, Bocr firm
IS given the exclusive right TO make sell
and handle all the dynamite used IN the
TransVaal Not stick Of it is manuIac-
turet there and as ali That Is imported
comes through this firm, tt has an IRON
clad monopoly and charges the miners
any kind Of a price.
ut Is impossible for this state OF
things TO last. Though Jameson's raid
was failure. the people VIII moi rest
satisfed til they secure the reforms they
are entitled to. and which old Kruger
has line and again promised. nor VIII
England ever abate ore iota of It's pro-
tectora,e over the TTansvaal. Sooner or
later the wealth and intelligence or tnat
region Will dominate. 1ust as II has ever
done IN every quarter Of the gioDe.
We believe that this fairly describes
= the state Of things IN the Transvaal, and
when It IS remembered that the great
body OF the Uiuanders are Englishmen,
It Is not surprising TO tair-mndeG
man that there should be intense feeling
in England over the matter. and Il strong
disposition upon the part OF the Eng
ish people to compel the Beers TO treat
their counlrymen in Africa with decency
at least. # not with Justice.
The Washington Post protonds 10 be
an independent paper but barring
liberal spirit that It has shown towards
us OF the Sfuth, IL is one or the most
bigosed. narrow minded, and intoicrant
journals that we know. In the Same IS
sue that contained this interview with
Mr.. Lang, II had an editorial article upon
the position which this Government
should take towards President krugers
government in regard 10 The American,
Hammond, who was one OF those senlenc-
ed 10 death. In which it used the fol
lowing language.
"Wc must consider this. The Bocrs are
a rcrious people. They are besot by IN
uns1ring, Il relentless, an Unsuitable toe
England. That nation. the universal
spectator Of the weak. has not in forty
years relinquished for one instant its fcl
purpose TO destroy, subiugate, ana de,
spoil the Beers. The latter are lighting
for their lives. for their honor for their
homes. their families. and their liher-
ties. We must not forget that they may
find Il dangerous 10 be TOO merclful."
Was there ever a greater contradiction
in different columns Of the same Issue OF
a paper? Il, has furnished as Mr.. Lang's
statement without a word 90 indicate
that II thinks the statement unreliable,
and It thereby coNmends - 10 us as
true, and 1t ediJorally says that. al
though I.angs statement IS tue, eng
land Is stin playing the part Of "a re-
lentless, an insa liable foe" who Is en-
deavoring To deprive tho Beers OF Their
honor, their homes. their families. and
their liberties" IN seeking 10 secure The
most ordinary juANce ana 1air treat
ment for her subjects.
We have not the slightest DOUBT that
the English have been greatly imposed
on In the Transvaai: nor have we the
slightest doubt that England will COM
pei tho Beers to treas her subjects with
Justice before she is through with it.