The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-05-05
Why take Johnson,s
Chill & Fever Tonic?
Because it cures the
most stubborn case
OF Fever in OlNEDAY.
The Transvaal Situation.

It has been remarked that during
the Jameson raid and the period of
intense anxiety about the relations of
the British government Of the Boer
republics of South Africa the English
Foreign Office and all departments of
the imperial government preserved
an absolutely correct attitude. This,
however, has given way te CON-
pletely changed position The inves-
tigation of the British Chartered
Company's relations to the raid de-
veloped the fact that the Colonial
Secretary, Mr chamberlain, if not in
sympathy with the redoubtable Cecil
Rhodes, was his practical ally. while
emphasis has been given to the un
favorable elements in the situation by
the forcibie remarks of Mr. Gosch
en- in regard to the position that the
new British High Commissioners in
South Africa will occupy. In some
quarters the outlook is regarded as
pointing to war Rumors to that ef.
feet have, in fact. found circulation.
The transfer of British troops to
South Africa seems. however, to be
only the ordinary change of regi
ments after having completed tour
of service in that portion of the
world. In the sane way the alleged
intention of the British admiralty to
send warship >to Delagoa Bay has
been denied.
That there is irritation, however,
cannot be denied. Sir James Sieve
wright, probably the leading au
thority on South African affairs.
voiced the sentiment of the British
as opposed to the Dutch influence in
South Africa, when, in the Cape Par
lament, he in effect. declared that
concessions to the Afrlcanders had
their limits The Jameson raid is
now admitted even by its promoters
to have been a colossal blupder. By
means Of it the Uitlanders surrender
ed all their real advantages of pos.
ton and put themselves in the
wrong TIE substantial nature Of
their grievances. Of course, remains,
and, as in the case of the extraordi-
nary charges of tie railroad organize
tions of the republic, which were re-
ferred to in tne last number Of Brad
streets, constitute source for gen.
aine complaint.
The johannesburg correspondent
of the London Economist, throws a
strong light on the situation in an
article appearing in the April 8 issue
of that periodical, and in which,
while emphasizing the evils of which
the Uitlanders complain. due stress
is laid on the unfortunate policy pur-
sued by the mining interests of the
Transvaal, on their lack of cohesion
and their inability to secure perma-
nens reforms through united political
action. As the correspondent in
question indicates, capitalists wran-
gle and think the government is not
in any way worthy of administering
such vast material interests-it is
helped and held in position by the
dissensions of those who should take
the lead in a work of the utmost i'm
portance. The same correspondent
makes the point that union of the
mining interests al any time would
produce the reforms that are also
luteIy necessary in the conduct of the
government Of the Transvaal, while
note of alarm is sounded in the as
scrtion that should there be no union
Of action and no reforms. the unfa-
vorable and Improbable conditions
that now obtain in the mining indus
try of the South African republic
-octd Ioad IN cor;onc lab0r nrohtems