The San Francisco call., 1899-06-20
THE SITUATION IN THE TRANSVAHL

| ATE reports from the Transvaal encourage the
| hope that, despite the hasco OF the conference al
- Bloemfontein the crisis i'll the contest between
the claims of the Outanders and the stubbornness OF
the Beers may pass without an appeal to The
British clearly have everything to gain by pursuing
waiting policy for time at least and the Beers can
hardly hope to derive profit from war
The controversy presents one OF the most intricate
problems OF conflicting rights that can be imagined,
1t has been said that every legal right IS on the SIDE
OF the Beers but every moral right the side OF the
Outianders; and the statement sums up the SITUATION
about as accurately as can be done in single SEN
tence
The Beers went into the Transvaal, drove out the
barbarian natives and took possession OF the territory
by the right Of higher civilization Where savagery
had BEEN they established law extensive pastoral
industry and something OF agriculture, with such
primitive manufacturing as necessary to supply the
limited needs OF that sort OF a community. They hold
their country therefore by the double title OF con-
quest and cultivation and being brave as well as
stubborn race not afraid to defend it
The Outanders went into the territory and found
that its rich mineral resources were not developed and
no ADEQUATE means of communication with the outer
world had been provided. They set about opening
mines, constructing railways, erecting factories and
founding cities Having accomplished much IN the
way OF adding the wealth OF the Transvaal and in
creasing the value OF the property OF the Boers and
finding themselves heavily taxed, they demand the
franchise and admission ts a participation in the
government. The Beers reject the demand on the
ground that If granted the Outlanders would out
vote the natives, take possession OF the country and
annex it to British South Africa.
The issue arising OF such conflicting claims is
not one that can be determined offhand. The Out
anders have much right enforce higher cvili-
zaon on the Beers as the Beers had enforce their
civilization on the African. Moreover the class OF
citizens in any community that pays the larger por-
ton OF taxes ought to have voice in the evylng
Cf taxes and in their expenditure Against all such
claims on the part OF the Outlanders, however there
stands the unquestoned right OF the Beers defend
themselves from conquest by immigration well as
from conquest by arms; and it is certain if the Out
anders are given share in the government they will
eventually take possession OF it altogether
The present crisis arises from the fact that the Out
anders have become impatient and have petitioned
the British Government to compel the Transvaal Gov
ernment to grant redress for their wrongs Thus a
question has been raised the extent OF the Brit
sh right OF interference in the affairs of the republic
and that is a question that fails to rouse the
wrath Of the Beers to the utmost height
A little mprudence the part OF either Govern
ment would at this time preciptate a war, but for
tunaely late dispatches give assurance that no i'm
prudent act is likely to be committed The British
authorities are aware their strength in the Trans
vaal increasing every day and they have nothing
gain by hasty action while President Kruger must
be equally aware that he cannot stem the advancing
tide OF South African development by at this time
Both Governments are, therefore, inclined to peace,
and each is strong enough to hold its people back
from an armed conflict.