The Daily Texarkanian., 1899-10-19
THE BoFRs AND BRITISH.
Brief History Of the Transvaal-
Causes Leading Up to the Pres
ent War.

ment abolished slavery throughout
its dominion, the Beers, aggrieved
at the small compensation allowed
them for their slaves, emigrated iu-
to the wilderness, across the Vaal
River, and so the Transvaal State
was formed. Here they gathered
strength, and added to their terri
tory by conquest of the native At
rican tribes. Disturbances arose
between the Beers and the British
Colonies, and in 1852 a convention
was formed between Great Britain
and the Trausvaal guaranteeing to
the Beers the privilege of manag-
ing their own affairs without inter-
ference of the government, under
certain restrictions. The Beers
we're not to re-establish slavery or
form alliances with native tribes.
This arrangement was reiterated in
81. But the Beers were almost
without government and were con.
stantly engaged in cruel wars with
the natives, thereby endangering,
also, the peace of other colonies.
The gold mines at Leydenburg,
meantime, had induced many Eng
lish people to settle there, and their
safety was imperiled In 1877 the
Transvaal was annexed to Great
Britain by a simple act of the Com
missioner at the Cape, approved by
the Colonial Secretary in England.
The Beers protested against this
and in 1880 proclaimed their indie
pendence, and gained a decisive
victory over the British troops then
in the country. Mr.. Gladstone be-
ing Premier and opposed to expan-
sion, peace was made on terms
which allowed self government to
the Transvaal, but under the suzer-
aintv of the British Crown. This
was in 1881. This was confirmed in
1884 by an instrument which denied
the Beers right to conclude treaties
with foreign powers, or to establish
slavery, and provided for just treat
ment of strangers entering the Re
public, but said nothing of British
suzerainty. Since that time the
discovery of gold mines in the Trans
vaal has brought into that country
great number of foreigners or
Outlanders. They control chiefly
the mining and mercantile interests
Of the country and out number the
Beers three to one. These Out
landers pay the chef taxes that
support the government but have
had their rights retrenched from
time to time, until now they are
virtually excluded from all rights,
fifteen years residence and the pay
ment of 1925 being required as a
qualification to vote. For some
years, therefore, the complaints of
British settlers 10 the Trausv aal
have been bitter. The Beers also
demand of them that in order to
citizenship, that they shall fore
swear allegiance to Great Britain;
the outlanders, on the other hand,
declare that this is unreasonable as
the Transvaal is under British SUI
eraiuty. So the question stands,
and this is the bone of contention.
Suzerainty was named in the con-
vention of 1881 and not in the arti.
cles of 1884, The English contend
that because 1t was not mentioned
it was not repealed, the Beers con,
tend that since it was not mention
ed it was not continued.
Suzerainty of England is not the
question at issue. The Boers are
semi-lawless, brave and cruel, and
President Kruger is an ideal ruler
for such a people, But England
has not gained sympathy for her
cause or claims 10 her late parley
with the Transvaal government,
| The Beers claim to have offered, as
terms of settlement, five years fran
chise for the Outlanders, if England
would surrender claim of right to
interfere in their government, and
this they declare they were led to
do by advice of Mr. Green, British
agent at Pretoria, and reply to
the proposition received from Sir
Alfred Miner, British High Com
missioner tor South Africa, which
led them to believe the proposition
would be accepted, But the right
to interfere in the government OF
the Transvaal, Great Britain would
not renounce. Under these con
ditions preparations for war was
made. The Orange Free State
has resolved tomake common
cause with the Beers, and it is said
many of the Outlanders will fight