The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-23
NEW BooKs.
Brief Reviews of Importnnt and Interest,"
Ing New Publications

book OF timely interest lie Dom Paul's
People" tAppletonsh. which il a narrative OF the
British Boer troubles In South Africa, with a
history OF the people. the country and its
institutions. by Mr.. Howard G. HilleRas, an
American traveller who has made an intelli-
gent study of existing conditions in the Trans
wal and whole Views. despite his tendency to
assume the office OF the advocate rather than
that OF the impartial observer. are especially
worthy OF consideration at the present moment
Mr.. Hillegas has evidently spent some tmo
among the people whom he describes, he has
heard statement OF tho Beers grievances
from President Kruger himself and he -
avowedly q strong sympathzer with Tho
BurRhers IN their struggle for indcpend.
ence. In chapter on the early history
OF tho Boer race lie condenses tho
we'll known story OF the Great Trokk
and the adventures Of the founders OF the
Transvaal Republic. gives detailed descriptions
OF johannesburg and the Randi gold fields.
and rscapitulates some OF the causes OF the pres-
ent dissensions; while the most interesting
chapter OF oil is devoted to the preparations for
defence that have been m ade since the Jameson
raid. Ever since that memorable f1asco both
Boer and Uitandor have realized that peace
full solution OF the difficulties between them
might be possible but was highly improbable.
and the Bocrs. mindful OF the almost inevitable
arsenal.
Probably" says Mr.. Hillegas. mo inland
country in the world Ia half so we'll prepared
for war at any time as that little Governments
which can boast OF having less than thirty
thousand voters"
German experts have for the last four years
been employed to formulate plans for the de-
fence OF this country. and European artilerists
have been teaching the arts OF modern warfare
30 tha ha hnoJ nf fhn
while millions have been spent In the pur-
chase OF the armament required BY the plans
formulated by the expsrts. and the whole
country pacad on a war footing. Pretoria.
the capital. and naturally the chief point OF
attack. has been prepared to resist the on-
slaught OF any number OF men. and is. Mr..
Hegar believes in a condition to Withstand
a siege OF three years.
The city" he says. lies In the centre Of q
square. at each corner OF which is lofty hill
surmounted by a strong fort. which commands
the valleys and the surrounding country Each
OF the four forts has four heavy cannon. four
French guns OF fifteen miles range. and thirty
heavy Calling guns. Besides this extraor-
binary protection. the city has fifty Light CAT
ling guns which can be drawn by mules to any
point on the hills where an attack may be
made. Three large warehouses are filed with
ammunition. and the large armory Ia packed
10 the caves win hauser. hortihi-hehry anu
esleJ-hichards rlnes. Two extensive retrig-
orators. with capacity OF TWO thousana oxen
each' arc a.hp,e pfo'i'ioh es"'"e' eieso "a
many months"
In the event OF war being declared the posi-
tion OF the Uitlanders In Johannesburg would
not no an enviable one. About half mile
north OF the business part OF the city Is Tors
whose guns can rako not only every street OF
the city but number of the principal mine
works as we'll. while another fort almost as
strong il situated q mile east OF the city and
oyershsdoys the railway and the principal
highway to Johannesburg In addition To
tbese tarrora tho Jobnnneahuroers beve RAM
-, - holi.ro ~ a. ,ho oi.u no. hao, und.r
ustrod n, -, tr,noI runni,>o from, IN. northarn
o., ~
'0'
AS soon as war 10 declared ana inc women ana
children nave been removed from inc city JONAH
h.. Wv" 20 ,ha,. in,...;a,, -, Sni,. .hi. go
An. r,,,,nder, ,ntcin,t,ng a ,.,l ,,t.tv In agbt
whenever there are rumors OF war. as thousands
did Immediately before and after the jameson
affair"
T. Is,., a.. A. ,... 49,. A.. .-...L
.. 81. r,or,n,aI, n..sos ~ ~. hord.r -.
w -" - -
ooeI ioi''ueu wv" 'aoV t'"u.eo y, i."
anu ffen'" ofu""ae0' anu etu'ppeu " W. sat
risohs vi ihen ooIn VI 'ia'Heu III Euiope'
iurtner ciemeh' OF uiineu'ty III 'he way Oh al
eUachlhg iorco hes III 'he uneertaihty as u
the attitude OF the native races On This point
Mr.. Hillegns says:
"Noithtr England nor the Doors has the positiv,
assurauee of support from any Of the tribes which
outnumber the whites az ten to one; but It will not
be an unwarranted opinion to place the majority Of
the native trbos on the side Of tho Beers Tho ma
tive races are always eager to be the friends of the
paramount power. and England's many defeats in
South Africa during recent years have not assisted
still utiusinr upder the defeat which they received
from tho British less than twenty wear, ago might
gather their war parties and with the thousands OF
guns they have been allowed to buy, attempt to
secure revenge Inc basueos' east OF the orange
free e'A'e' no" tue most po"eriui anu only
.uow % h. fought ur,s.s ,h.y n,rtic,,.t.d IN
I, .n 4, univ 10 damons,r..o N Oh. vh,,s man that
,h.v iii rc,,ir ,heir ola finn. corrsss and .hutx y
.
r,