The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-10


assumed a threatening aspect and the tone
of the London press is quite warlike. The
dispatches refer TO 'the dangerous situa-
tion.'' the possibility of war" etc. and the
united expressions of the papers sound very
much like a growl of the British lion. 1t
seems incredible that. President Kruger
would risk war with England, but with his
Dutch obstinacy and stolid egotism there
is no telling what he may do. He may also
be emboldened by the fact that the Trans
vaal Republic has already measured arms
once successfully with England. having
been annexed by the British in 1877 and re-
gained its Independence in 1881 after a years
war, in which Paul Kruger, the present
President was one of the leaders. In that
war the Beers had about 1900 men and
proved more than a match for the British
forces sent to hold them in subsection. In
one battle they defeated the British with a
loss Of 80 men and six officers; in another
the British commander and eighty-two men
were killed and 1s4 were wounded or cap
tured. The British government had issued
orders for 1900 troops to be sent to the
scene Of action when negotiations were be-
gun which ended in England's recognizing
the independence of the republic, 1t would
not be surprising II Paul Kruger. who has
been President since the re-esfa blishment
of the Republic, should be considerably
stiffened in his present dealings with Eng
land by recalling the successful war of 1881,
but the Beers were very lucky in that war.
They might not get off so easily in an
other. and it is probable that the war would
end in England getting all she is asking for
now and good deal more besides, including
a readjustment of boundaries that would
add materially to her African possessions.
There has been no good feeling between
the Beers and the British since the war OF
1881, and the present situation is simply a
new phase of an old trouble. In fact, it is
merely an incident of the British policy of
expansion in Africa. The ostensible cause
Of the present trouble is the political dis
elimination in the Transvaal against uit-
landers. or foreigners, who are mostly Brit
ish. Although the foreigners outnumber the
Beers by more than three to one, they are
practically excluded from the enjoyment of
the rights of citizenship. They are the chief
property owners. wealth producers and tax
payers. yet they denied any voice in
the government, live practically under mar
tial law. have no schools except such as are
taught in Dutch, are not allowed to hold
meetings or discuss their grievances and
are placed under every kind of political and
social disability. Out of a population of
nearly 10000 in johannesburg there are
less than five hundred voters. 1t could
hardly be expected that intelligent for
eigners would submit to such discrimina-
tons without protest, and in 1895 they
formed an organization to effect a redress
OF grievances. A manifesto issued by them
made the following demands:
The establishment of this republic as a
true republic; constitution which shall be
framed by competent persons selected by
framed on lines laid down by them: an
equitable franchise law and fair representa-
ton: equality of the Dutch and English Ian
guages responsibility to the legislature of
the heads of the great departments; the re-
moval Of religious disabilities; the independ-
ence Of the courts of justice. with adequate
and secured remuneration for the judges ::
liberal and comprehensive education; an
efficient civil service, with adequate provi-
sion for pay and pensions; free trade in
The agitation conducted on these lines in
creased the animosity of the government
towards the uitlanders and finally led to the
Jameson raid. which came very near caus-
ing war between Great Britain and the
Transvaal. Since then the condition of
British residents has not been in any way
improved, and the relations between the
two governments have been constantly
strained. The present crisis was inevitable,
and II 1t does not result in war another one
WILL The firm determination of the British
government to secure equal rights for Brit
ish citizens in the republic and the stub
born adherence of President Kruger to a
proscriptive policy and autocratic methods
OF government supply the elements of a
clash which is bound TO come. But behind
this question is the scheme of British terri
torial expansion in Africa, which has not
changed a particle since the annexation of
the Transvaal in 1877 or its successful war
OF independence in 1881. Men may come
and men may co. but Great Britain's for
eign policy goes on forever. One feature of
II is the extension of her colonial empire in
South Africa, and when the time is ripe she
will. try issues again with the Transvaal
Republic. The Briton and the Boer have
not yet fought to finish.