The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-10
BOERS ON THE ALERT
EXPECT no TROUBLE, GUT ARE
READY FOR EMERGENCIES.

Strong Protective Measures Taken - No
More Jameson Affairs WIN BE Tolerated.
standing Army Is only -Four Hundred.
but Every Citizen Is "A Soldier.
L Van Alphen, postmaster general o.
the South African Republic, who is a
delegate TO the universal postal union
congress TO be held at Washington, was
asked recently about the present state
of affairs in the South African Republic.
The possibility of war between Great
recently been much discussed, and the
sending. of British troops to Cape Col
ony and British warships to Delagoa
T. bay has given fresh impetus to specu-
lation on the subject.
1.-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
Alphen. ''But since the Jameson raid,
in December, 1895, we have taken
measures to protect ourselves from u
repetition of that affair, as we'll as to
xepel uprisings Of natives.
"When left Pretoria, several months
ago, three forts, equipped with the lat
est modern implements Of war, We're
nearing completion. and we have i'm
ported cannon, guns and ammunition
From English, German and French
manufacturers we have also obtained a
quantity Of rifles. We must be prepared
for any emergency.
''The whole standing army of the re-
public is 400 artillerymsn, but every
eitizen is supposed to be a soldier. Most
of the citizens are experts in the use OF
the rife. Such sports as cricket and
football are, Of course, common in the
republic, but one of the. chief amuse-
ments in the country districts is target
practice, and, moreover, the old people
have had to live gun in hand all theiI
lives, fighting wild beasts and savages.
In times of necessity the commandants
In the districts call for their quota of
burghers.
"Ostensibly the reasons for the Jane
son raid were that the outlanders had
no political and representative rights,
but it is my opinion that the promoters
of this invasion were IA combination OF
Johannesburg inhabitants and some
members of the Chartered company,
which controls Rhodesia, and their de-
sign was to influence the share market
and value Of other properties so as fur
ther to enrich themselves. The govern
ment has always done everything in its
power to meet the requirements of the
mining population, and further conces-
sions were under consideration when
left.
"A local committee in Johannes.
burg had been elected, which will see
that the English language is taught in
the schools where the English speaking
communities prcdominate. Instead OF
the former government commissioner in
that city, the people there have now
the privilege Of electing their own mu-
nicipal officers, and mayor is appoint.
ed by the government. Notwithstanding
the ontlanders' complaint that they
have SO far had no voting power, how
ever, few of them seem to care to avail
themselves of their right to become citi
zens Out Of 10000 in Johannesburg
only 1900 have renounced allegiance
to their native land and have become
citizens Of Che South African Republic. >
New York Tribune.
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