New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-02
TIE BOERS PREPARED FOR WAR.
4 PLAIN STATEMENT OF THEIR CASE AGAINST
ENGLAND FROM THEIR POsTMAs
TFp GENERAL.

ENGLAND FROM THEIR PosTMAs-
TER-GENERAL
Van Alphcn Posmaster-Ciencral of the South
African Republic. who is now in New-fork as
delegate to the Universal Postal Union Congress
to be held at Washington next week. was seen a;
the Holland House yesterday and asked about the
present state Of affairs IN the South African Re-
publc The possibility Of war between Great Brit
ain and the little Boer republic has recently been
much discussed and the sending OF British troops
TO Cape Colony and British warshps to Delagoa
Bay has given Il fresh impetus 10 speculation on
the subject
The South African Republic desires nothing but
the most friendly relations with Great Britain. with
whom we have convention by which Great Brit
ain guarantees the independence of the South
African Republic" said Mr. Van Aphen But
since the jameson raid. in December 1885, we have
taken measures 10 protect ourselves from repeti-
ton of that affair. vel! to repcl uprsings of
natives When / left Pretoria several months ago
three forts, equipped with the latest modern impe-
ncnts Of war, were nearing completion, and we
have imported cannon. suns and ammunition
From English. German and French manufacturers
we have also obtained quantity OF rifles we
must be prepared for any emergency
The whole standing army OF the Republic Is 4U
artillerymen. but every citizen is supposed TO be
soldier Most Of the citizens are experts In the
use of the rife. Such sports as cricket and foot
ball are, Of course, common n the Republic Dut
one of the chief anus ments In the country as
ricts Is target practice. and, moreover, the old
noople have had 10 live gun In hand all their
! lives fighting wild beasts and savages In times
of necessity, the commandants In the districts call
for their quota OF burgher3 ~,
/ .'Ostensihly the reasons for the Jameson raid
were that the Outlanders had political and rep
/ rescntatve rights. But 1t is my opinion that the
| promoters Of this invasion were combination OF
! Johannesburg inha bitants and some members or
| me Chartered Company. which controls Rhodesia
| and their design to influence the share mar
ket and value of other properties so as 1uftler 10
| enrich themselves. The Government has always
done everything in its power to meet the require
! ments OF the mining population. and further con-
/ SESSIONS were under consideration when | LETT
/ local committee in Johannesburg lad been elected
Which will see that the English language Is taught
! I'm the schools where the English speaking cominu-
/ mites predominate Instead OF the former Govern
| ment Commissioner in that city. the people there
| have now the privilege Of electlng their own mu-
| nicIpaI officers and a Mayor Is appointed by the
| Gcvcrnment Notwithstanding the Outlanders' COM
plaint that they have so far had no voting power,
however few of them seem TO care 10 avaii mem
! selves OF their right to become citizens. Out OF
60 900 in johannesburg. only ZOO have renounced
| allegiance 10 their native land ana nave become
citizens OF the South African Republic