The sun., 1899-05-07
SOUTH AFRICAN PoIIr1ca
Recent Elections-England'sAI AIena cling Prep.
arations-Transvaal Getting Ready for
speedy Life-and-Death Struggle.

Recent Eleotions-England' . Me- IN cling Prep.
arations-Transvaal Getting Ready for
speedy Life-and-Death Struggle.
The elections that have Just taken place in
Cape Colonyunder the Redistribution act passed
at the last session OF the Cane Legislature have
resulted in q decisive victory for the Afrikan-
der Bond over the Rhodes Progressive party.
and have confirmed the Schreiner Cabinet In
office. The issue Of these elections has been
awaited with much anxiety. for II was felt on
all sides that they would bring things in South
Africa to crisis. The friction existing be.
tween the British Colonial ONCE since Mr..
Joseph Chamberlain assumed its direction
and the Government OF the Transvaal republic
has gradually extended. and finally created
race antagonism between the native born South
Africans OF Dutch and other origins and those
Of British origin and birth all over the rest OF
the country outside OF the Transvaal. In the
Cape Colony the first trial OF strength has come
of at the polling booth. and the native party
has won The next struggle may be OF differ
ent kind and on different ground.
The cdsus beli Is apparently sought in Pc
tition. alleged to bear 81 900 Uitlanders' sig.
natures. sent to the Queen in England praying
her to compel the Transvaal Government to
accord them the political franchise uncon-
dtionally. Some South African papers say
that not 20 per cent Of the signatures arc
genuine. but for the actual purposes OF tho pe-
tition that objection may be dismissed az be.
side the mark. The fact that the petition has
been officially accepted stamps II with all the
importance necessary to constitute it o basis
for demands upon the Government OF the
Transvaal. the rejection OF which would give
pretext for aggressive action on the part Of the
British Government. The Transvaal Governs,
ment has been expecting this for some time,
letter from the Transvaal. written by per.l
eOn holding n m M rta nj poqikion fhara
I'VE are well aware that the so-called griev,I
ances are unfounded. and that tho dissatisfao.;
tion Is engendered from Downing street and
by Rhodes, and their object Is. OF course. to getN
the Transvaal into their own hands. II would
be great disaster II war should break outs
with England as feel sure the whole Of South
Africa will be in flames. and. although We nayu
have very rough time. We are confident oel
ultimate victory. Justice being on our siae,l
We will defend our tights to the last"
In consequence Of the conviction that theys
are to be attacked by England. the Transvuat
Government has been making what. for o.
| weak State. is really formidable preparation
for defence. Pretoria is protected By REGULAR
| fortifcations we'll armed with modern gums
as "a % yee 60
seo to feend te II g9 StsSSG Ras'
have been, purchased during the past tWS;'
}ysSss and o.t5 there T. vel saSiRpsa
on being. able to ,mobpaze iplly 1900
ABOUT 5000 Would be- required for the a"sTi sarri:
to take the eid. H. however. the % sntieiPs.oSs &
q general movement all over South Africa ins
the s Would Hf'ss sav. wse e
at least would be required to cope With the
From the present dispo.iton Of the British
in South Africa it be inferred
from Natal. The DISTANCES nee TO- to be traverse4
Durham op the coast BY PIetermaEitzbure and
cressns The ronter aF
Hill Of famous memory. The communications
be open to the same danger Of Interruption
as would an advance by the railway fron1
s Hen Ihs 81 sEs
Orange Free State and Transvaal for some
miles lie Bdsrs II he In B4sS asVapy ri IN Soa Sa
struction II the Boer style Of iiehtina: and ths
Africa have lately been put through course
q surprise mobilizations. marches and
II oniunetion With the pressntation q tSe
Rhodess action in teeRraphing to the British
| dence a fixed determination to push matters
| in South Africa to extremities.
| But serious as things undoubtedly appear to
| be. the possible consequences all round are too
| grave to permit OF the peace being lightly bro-
ken. From the large shipments Of arms re-.
| ported to be going on from. Europe to
all parts Of South Africa and finding their way
| a conflict once begun might degenerate Into
civil and racial war. in which the vast native
| times could hardly be expected to remain qui-
escent. Commerce and industry, would. under
the circumstances. suffer incalculably. and our
| that part Of the world could not fail TO be ses
| riously checked. The whole OF South Africa is
| still suffering from the devastation among the
herds OF cattle caused by the rinderpest and
war occurring before things had returned to
| their normal condition would throw them back
indefinitely. to the injury Of all interested In the