The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-02
SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS..

Cape Colony is preparing for another general
election. consequent on the passage Of the bill
for the redistribution OF seats brought forward
by the Schreiner Government. Candidates are
stumping the country, and both sides In poll
tics. the Progressives or Rhodesites and the
Afrlkander Bond. are putting forward all their
strength to assure success.
Recent developments in South Africa have
brought new questions to the surface and
raised new issues. Mr.. Hofmeyr. the leader
OF the Afrikander party in tho Caro- Coll
ony. in a speech he made lately indicated con-
siderable uncertainty as to the outlook in the
Colony. The Afrikanders. he protested. were
thoroughly loyal to the British Crown. but they
were strenuously opposed to millionaires dom
ineering over the Colony. The immediate out
look. he believed 10 be IA critical as the late
past; and in the event OF the elections going
against the Bond, the future would become
darker still. This speech made a conSIdera bio
sensation and recalled that made by, Mr.. Te
Water at the time OF the last general election.
supremacy. Inserted by Sir Gordon Sprigg. in
the platform Of the Government was wicked.
he challenged any one 10 assert that the Bond
desired other than British supremacy. But
they wisheh 10 retain what they ernnjoyed, for
ment. and would not brook interference from
MIR. Te Water is a member Of Mr.. schreiner's
Cabinet and has not made any public change
! in the views he expressed in August Of last
year. The Bono members. therefore, are go:
ing into the campaign with n very wel-de1ned
policy. which Is. loyalty to the British Crown,
but no Rhodes domination. Tho result of the
coming elections have. therefore. quite as
much an imperial as a colonial interest.
As regards the two republics. "a commission
nominated by the ,,Transvaal and Orange Free
State Is studying the administrative systems
OF each with the object OF bringing them into
armon and 1t Ia generally understood that
whenever the political situation permits Of 1t
the two States will tederate under one govern
ment.. A commission OF delegates from the
British colonies and the two independent
States IL also considering common action
by immigrants from that country. and some
effort will be made to harmonize the tariffs on
the different lines Of railway which at present
are obstacles rather than facilities for trade.
Tho successful termination OF the two Kaffir
risinRs has relieved the Transvaal Government
Of immediate anxiety about internal TRANQUIL
lily. and the relaxation observable in the agita-
tion among the Uitlanders OF johannesburg
has given the Government time to attend to
grievances complained OF. The outlook. on the
whole. 80 far as the Boer States are concerned,
Is moro peaceful than for some time past.
In Rhodesia agitation IL going on for the
inclusion Of the territory in the imperial penny
postal union under more liberal administra.
ton of its affairs than is possible under a hoard
OF directors sitting in London. Great liabilities
are being incurred for the construction OF rail
WAYS without corresponding. development, 81
not flowing into the country in the way ex'
pected. It is hoped that Mr.. Rho1es's, mission
TO Europe may have some substantial results
otherwise the outlook will not be brilliant.