New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12
THE FUTURE OF THE BOER STATES.

THE FUTURE OF THE BOER STATES.
We have already referred to the widespread
md serious discussion in Great Britain OF the
disnosition TO be made Of the Boer States after
the war Lord Salisbury at the Lord Mayors
banquet studlously avoided committing himself
to any policy save the general one OF British
supremacy. But men of light and leading else
where are less reserved. They are discussing
the details Of the case with much frankness We
NAV add. also. that their proposals are marked
with more moderation and leniency toward the
Beers than have hitherto been expected Not
few in this country have supposed that after
the war the last vestiges OF Boer independence
will be abolished and the two States be trans
formed into British Crown colonies. That would
be only following of general precedent 1T
would be comparable with what Prussia did in
Schleswig- Holsten and In Hanover, Germany III
Alsace- Lorraine Russia in Central ASIA L r"nce
in Indo-C China, Algeria and Madagascar, Japan
in Formosa and the United States IN Ior'o
Rico. Indeed 1t would be following the example
set by the Beers themselves In this very war
For IT, on overrunnng with their armies North
ern Natal and Eastern Bechuanaand the Beers
are justified in proclaiming the annexation OF
those regions to their own States, the British
will be justified in similarly anne1ing the
Orange State and the Transvaal as soon as
their armies overrun them.
No such intention is, however, apparent MI.
Edward Dicey In his leading article In "Ihe
Nineteenth Century" argues that there must not
be any repetition of the policy which followed
Maiuba HILL which was meant by MI Giad-
stone for magnanmity, but was interpreted by
the Beers as weakness and cowardice The ap-
so,uto sunremacy of Great Britain in all South
Africa must be established. There should be,
bovever no extinction OF the individualities OF
tho two States and no permanent occupation or
them by Great Britain They should De lett
loroe,v autonomous though compelled to recog-
nize British hegemony, and they shouiu II pos
sible-and Mr. Dicey thinks 1t possible-pe
brought into some sort of federal union with the
Cane Natal and Rhodesia Such Is MI Dcey
plan-the inclusion OF the two Boer States IN
South African federation under British suze
rainty. with local autonomy. but with assured
equal rights for all white men In all the states.
The leading article in THE Fortnghtly Re-
Wow" is unsigned, which Is supposed to be an
indication Of authority too high to be revealed
II &c loss concliatory In tone. 1t dwells with
some bitterness upon the Dutch plans and In
trieues. extending through many years, for the
expulson of the British and the establishment
of a nure,v Dutch confederacy from the Cape TO
the Zambesi. That must now be ended the
writer contends. by drastic measures. both the
ORANGE Free State and the Transvaal must
ooose n exist as independent States. The for
NOR NAV retain its territorial integrity and local
se,f.poyernment. but 1t must no longer be inde-
nendent hut recognized part Of the British
Imnire subject to Imperial suzerainty. The
Transvaal. however, should be partitioned, parts
of y going 10 Natal and to Bechuanaand The
hu,l ~ # NAV be left intact, and Of course the
Roers should be secured in the possession OF full
civil and political rights and In the enjoyment
~ tho,r chosen modes Of life. But they must
bonceforth he subjects OF the British Empire,
and must concede equal rights to all DINER SUD-
jects Of that empire.
The Hon. Evelyn Ashley in THE National Re
Wow" speaks for the stern, unbendlng tories.
In his view the British have free hand and a
clear field to do as they please But they must
NOT iustify the taunts that they are mere land
orohhers They must resist the temptation
emn,v 70 annex the Boer States and turn them
into British colonies Mr.. KRUGER must 60 So
must the name Of South African Republic
That part Of Zululand which the Beers raded
and annexed Just after the Zulu war must DE
restored to Zululand and thus to Natal Swat
land. too. must be taken from the Transvaal as
the Swazis themselves desire. Some territory
ON the western border must also be shorn of.
And there must be equal rights for all white
men. But after that let the Transvaal have the
fullest possible measure Of autonomy. AS for
tho Orange State. he would make 1t pay an In
demnity and partially disarm. and he would
take from It some small parts OF Its territory
which are inhabited chiefly by Engllshmen
After that he would leave 1t ms independent as
II has hitherto been.
Such are the views Of three representative
Enclishmen seriously and authoritatively put
forth To what extent they coincide with gov
ornamental intentions we do not know. Ihere
has. however, thus far been no indication tha'
the Government means 10 deal with the Beers
inter II has conquered them, any more harshly
or less generously than these writer's suggest
II such shall indeed be the measure OF Its settle
ment. fts entire conduct toward the Beers VIII
receive the strongest vindicntion OF which II II
susceptible and we may hope that the long en-
during race hatreds which have been feared Will
not come into existence, but that not only will
there be practically one land from Lions Head
TO Line" but there will also be equality OF