The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-18
Beers Representative
Departs From England:

consu; general OF the South African
republic in London, called at the con
sulate this afternoon and Immediate.
" left for the continent.
Mr.. Whites departure was not at
tended by any excitement Before
shaking off the dust of England, he
said to a representative of The Asso.
ciated Press: The expected has
happened. I only hope the hellisbness
of this premediated crushing out OF
hardy republic is now apparent
Let me remind America that the onus
of war lies not upon those who fire
the first shot but upon those who
compel it to be fired.
"Technicaly we have temporarily
put ourselves in the attitude of an
aggressor, but who would not have
done so if the existence of his coun.
try was at stake ? I think we must
look far ahead to see the conse-
quences of this war Instead of the
pacifaction of South Africa, which is
the alleged act of England. we SHALL
have perpetual unrest. These very
peoplegfor whom England is now fight.
ing will turn against her in time
to come and protest against her rule
as bitterly as they are now protesting
ours
"For weeks | had seen England's
determination to force hostile issue,
or rather Mr.. Chamberlain's. | am
sure he is the only cabinet officers
whose mind was thoroughly made up
throughout all the negotiations
What his intentions were is evident
from the situation today Had the
franchise been the chief grievance,
our Eve year proposition would GER
tainly have BEEN accepted | have
reason to believe that England
enters upon her warlike course by
no means unit Opposition to Mr..
Chamberlain policy exists to
greater extent than is generally con
ceived
Our evident desire to concilate
mas been much appreciated, and our
refusal TO allow cur household affairs
10 be administered by another nation
has not excited genuine indignation
here or in any quarter of the globe.
However, Mr. Chamberlain has &C
complished his purpose. and all hope
is gone. l believe, nevertheless, that
considerable revision in British
opinion would be affected by any
serious defeat, for most of those now
supporting the government are doing
80 with light heart aud on genera
principles, not stopping to count the
cost of war
Mr. White cited the Isandlwhama
massacre as an instance OF such
change in British opinion. He then
went on to say Il suppose there
can be only one ultimate result of the
hostllities. As to the duration of
the war l am not able to venture a
guess. 1t seems to me matter OF
the greatest uncertainty. [ hear that
Great Britain will not begin the wip-
ing cut process until December. In
the meantime we shall see what we
shall see.
al have received DO special in
structions or news from the Trans,
vaal during the last IS hours, and |
expect none, having long ago re,
ceived directions as to the course for
ne to take when matters reached this
stage | shall remain on the CONT
neut, and if anything further can be
done in the interest of my govern
ment, l shall, Of course endeavor to
60 it. although there seems nothing
left but 10 fight it out to the bitter,
unjust END "
Mr. White seemed much distressed
over the rupture, and evidently did
not entertain the least hope Of Boer
success.
He said the Transvaal agency in
Brussels would be continued as the
European headquarters of the gov
eminent
Mr.. Whites reference to the
Isandiwhama massacre is an allusion
to the attack made Jan q, 1879, by
some $4,000 ZuIus upon the British
camp at Isandula, or lsandlwhama,
about 10 miles from Borke's Drift, on
the Tugela Five companies of the
Tw enty fourth regiment, with Col.
Durnford, Lieut.. Col Puileine and
other officers. were massacred, the
British total loss being about S37
Two thousand Zulus are said to have
been killed