The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-25
ATTITUDE OF THE NATIVES

London, Oct PA dispatch received at
Cape Town from Merschel, dated Octo-
Der %, says fifteen natives who have ar
rived there say they were arrested after
leaving johannesburg and ordered to fight
the British in Natal. But they succeeded
in escaping. According to runners who
have arrived at Kimberley from Kuru-
man, British Bechuanaland, the resident
magistrate there has recently presided at
a council OF the native chiefs. He ad-
vised them not to participate in the war
The natives expressed satisfaction at the
magistrates explanation and promised to
remain quiet.
London, Oct. A.-The colonial office
this evening published dispatch receiv-
ed from the British high commissioner in
South Africa, Sir Alfred Miner, commun-
icating a significant dispatch from Sir
Godfrey Langt. the British resident com
missioner in Basutoland, calling atten-
ton to the recklessness OF the Basutos.
whom, he says, he has been trying TO
calm. The resident commissioner adds:
"Our policy, however, has been made diff
ficult by the clustering Of the Beers. who
have frequently threatened TO attack Ma
suru and other stations. These threats,
combined with intriguing. have contrib
uted to rouse excitement among the ma
tives. I wish to place 1t on record that
the Beers have unwisely attempted To
shake the allegiance of the Basutos and
Illustrate our efforts toward tranquility.
The Beers. therefore, are responsible for
and commotion and for the alarm re-
walls"
Cape Town, Oct A.-The following ad-
vices have been received here from Ma
zeru, Basutoland. dated October O. A re-
liable native lately visited a laager OF
Orange Free State troops Just opposite
Mezuru. He found 1t TO consist Of wag-
ons surrounded by turf three feet high.
He noticed only & few Mausers. The
Boer commandant questioned him regard
ing the different Basuto chiefs, pr1nd
pally the paramount chief. Lorothodi.
and in order to draw out the command
ant, the native replied that the natives
sided with the Beers. Thereupon the
commandant said that the two republics
wished 70 kill the Brihshers and 20 take
over and govern the Basutos. restoring
70 the latter that part OF the country
which the Free State formerly took from
them. AS 20 the Britishers. those whom
they failed to kill they would drive into
the sea The commandant wished a de-
cision on the part OF Iorothodi and the
other chiefs az soon as possible-whether
they would fight the Beers or the British
because his contingent was anxious 70
help the Beers elsewhere. He acknowl-
edged that his men were afraid OK the
Bssutos because their wives and families
as well as their cattle. were within reach
Of a Basuto incursion: and be said he
was prepared 20 enter into an a agreement
with the chiefs. signing the same, 20 give
a very substantial recompense for assist
ing the Beers. Failing this, II the Ba-
sutos would give a written understand
ing not 20 assist either side, the con-
uaandaut said his force would Withdraw
from the Basutoland border and 20 20
the assistance OF their countryn1en where
the lighting was hottest Tbs Beers on
the Basutoiand frontier. according % the
best information obtainabIe a. Sfazuru.
number about 2,5o0.