The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-12


II the British government succeeds In
getting the better of the Transvaal as
result Of its efforts To remedy the griev-
ances OF the Uilanders. IL will not be
without an excuse offered by the Beers
themselves. The failure OF Jamieson's
raid cast all the odium upon the foreign
community In the Transvaal, but had It
been successful the country would have
become much more prosperous. Ten years
ago the South African Republic. for that
Is the Official name for IL. was half civil
lied settlement OF an unprogressive and
illiterate people. 1t had no towns OF any
consequence: open streams OF water. or
SHUTS as they are called, ran alongside
the streets, even in the chief city. The
effect was picturesque as an example OF
con,entment and pastoral life. 1t was
known that gold must be in large quanti-
ties somewhere, because the creeks
brought down the auriferous sand and
scattered II along the banks. Every eff
fort OF foreigners to develop these re-
sources was checked by oppressive laws.
and for many years the gold fields con-
sisted OF a struggling little community
confined by the laws TO narrow limits.
The concentration OF the diamond fields
In the hands OF a few owners drove the
restless and speculative citizens of KIM
berley and Dutoitspsn to prospecting In
other directions. They discovered the
row famous johannesburg gold deposit
and went In with a rush. Where. but
few years ago. there was nothing but
meeting place of crossing teams is now a
large and thriving city OF 5000 people.
with town hall. opera house. daily news
papers. and every other indication of vi
tally and wealth. The taxes paid by the
miners have made the Transvaal an in
dependently rich state. but the taxation
which was first placed high enough to
be prohibitive, and has since been re-
tanned, because of the profit to the govern
inent. is so monstrous that only the won
derfui wealth OF the district enabled the
people 20 carry on business under IL. The
Transvaal government not only taxed the
Uitlanders. among whom are hundreds OF
Americans, but IL refused TO allow them
to vote or 10 take any part in the govern
ment OF even the municipality which
owed its origin and It's prosperity to
/ their efforts. BY taxation is not meant
/ merely the annual levy OF a moderate
sum, such as the taxpayers OF all eoun-
| tries must contribute for the nainten-
anee Of government It means extortion
al every turn.
l a few facts will show that the Uritland-
| ers were not unreasonable when they
asked for modification OF the terms I'm
posed upon them as a condition for their
! doing business. The area in this country
for mining location is twenty acres,
while In the Transvaal il is little more
than one. loo claims making about II.
acres. In the Transvaai the cost OF TAX
Ing up these IL acres would Re 500 for
the survey and SIS for the first month J
license. sitngcthsr SIS This monthly n
eensa must be paid until the time comes
when the government inspector declares
! that from the condition OF these or aa.
Joining properties. they are no longer
rrOspectors' claims but diggsrs' claims
when the license Zee at once jumps to &
claim. Or $50 moath for block Of II.
acres. Therefore. II the prospector is no,
disturbed fer year. his IL acres VIII
have cost him In fees 70 surveyor and
government some si7g.A-rouEhfy reckon.
Ing s for each pound sterlinx-and each
year thereafter $50 SO long as they are
ngcsreetess' claims. or $500 a year +,
they become dssrevs claims The holder.
can aever secure title 20 the property.
This = only part % the imposition
The Transvaai government gave a non.
oPaly 70 leoai manufacturers tor TIE oro.
dgctlnn % dynamite. from which IN.
government derives commercial hepea,
and thea pgt on a duty sufficiently h,xs
o. protect the company. The oomnan,
was permitted 20 import TIRE necessary
raw materials FREE of duty, but after ,
tine the onay manufacturing done Was .,
pat the dynamite iato heuse wrappers. !,
Was sold 30 the aezplse1 UIflsnasv for q
cents ronns. or about = cents vS,,-,x
more than II eonsi have been soIa for a
proat. even allowing for TIE addstsona
Cos, Of freight. Thsn the ralirnae Is !
monopoly. ane has is share to eol.scs