Douglas Island news., 1899-12-27
THE POOR BoERs.

Owing to the fact that the British government was exceedingly friendly to us during the Spanish war and by reason of that friendship, one or two European nations were prevented from joining our enemies in the conflict, a very friendly feeling now prevails be- tween the two governments and owing to this act of friendship, many Amer jeans do not permit themselves to give expression to theirreal feelings as to the justice of the war that the British people are waging against the little Af- rican republic.
 The Boers moved into the country more than a century ago and were driven from their first location on the coast and their move took them into the interior where for a time it was a question of whether they would be able to survive the warfare of the natives and ferocious animals of what is now the Transyaal country. It is only of recent date and by the discovery of rich ore fields that the territory claimed by the Boers has become an object of covetousness on the part of the British people, and that part of the country in which the Dutch first located has of course been gobbled up by the English people. Since Africa has attracted the greedy attention of Europe, the British people have done much to bring en- lighteument and development to that country It is British tactics to use her missionaries to get control of new territory but i'll Africa she has done much more, for she is now build ing the longest railroad in that country in the whole world, which will ex- ceed the Siberian road by over a thous- and miles in length.
 This road is partly built, the complet- ed portion being from Cairo to Khar- toum, distance of over 1900 miles and from Cape Town north to Bulawayo al so a distance of over 1900 miles, leaving gap yet to be constructed of 2950 miles.
 As pretext, the British people have demanded some reforms from the re- public, which are; a more stable consti- tuition, one that can not be amended by the legislature, an independent judic- iary, the annullment of trading mon opoIies, the use of English and Dutch language in the courts, the removal of political disabilities of Catholics and Jews: a better school system and Oh Lord! FREE TRADEM They also in sisted that the foreigners be given the right of suffrage after a few years resi- dence, which surely means that the government in a short time would be in control of the foreign population.
 These matters, the Boers claim, con cern their internal policy and do not concern the British people. If the British are starting out toreform the various nations Of the earth, why don't they commence on some of their OWL colonies. The treatment that Ameri- cans have received at the hands of the Canadians during the past year would give them employment for time. The system of government of the Russians is a disgrace to civilization and we Sug gest that there is grand field, and they would be jumping onto" something somewhere near their equal. The courts of France are below the level of the justice dealt out by savages and that would be much nearer home.
 The Queens cabinet Is using Ameri can friendship to blot out the Trans vaaI republic and she will, in the end no doubt succeed, but she is finding the task a difficult one, and her generals will go on slaughtering her people IT order that she may gain possession ol territory but little larger than the state of Wyoming and the greater part O. which is worthless, but which has beer made the happy home of one of the best most quiet and inofensive people or earth.
 The Boers have shown themselve! capable of self fgovernment, and in wal they are teaching the British some les sons which will prove valuable to them The English are our friends now it Il true, but we have not forgotten 1861 to 1864. She is our friend when i s to her interest to be so. The God o, battles seems to be with the Boers- that He may continue on this side | our wish.