Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-11-09
The Transyaal Conflict.

As the world well knows, there has
been constant friction between the
Beers and the English for many years.
The recent development Of Africa has
made it more acute and the war at
hand must decide whether South At
rica is to be composed Of small, inde-
pendent States, possibly confederatsd,
or must accept the preponderant IN
fuence of the British Empire. Be-
yond doubt England would be willing
to give South Africa the status Of
Canada or Australia, but to accept
this would be regarded by the Beers
as the surrender of a national exist
ence. Historically, the relations of
the Beers and the British have been
unusually complex. Many years ago,
before the colony of Natal was an
nexed by Great Britain, the Beers mi
grated to the wilderness and set up
for themselves. Great Britain ac-
knowledged their independence in
in 1852, but annexed them in 1877,
a proceeding the Beers resisted with
arms and with partial success. In
1884 the British government acknowI-
edged the right of the Transvaal re-
public to govern itself in everything
except its treaties with foreign pow
ers. The situation was disturbed by
a new train of events. The great dis
covery of gold in the Witwaterstrand,
Boer tertiary, caused heavy lmmi-
grafton of white men, chiefly British,
called by the Beers "Uitlanders." But
for this unexpected access of popula-
ton, and the questions relating to It
politically, there would be no war at
this time, though probably it would
have come later, for there is little
congeniality between Boer and Brlton,
Hostilities have not been caused by
any question about foreign treaties.
The British contend that they are sim
ply protecting the rights of British
citizens oppressed by Boer laws and
exceptionally heavy disabilities. The
Boer legislature is a close corporation.
In the upper house the members are
chosen exclusively by the families of
original settlers. The lower chamber
is elected by qualified voters, but no
Uitlander can vote unless thirty years
old, Protestant, resident Of the re-
public for a long term Of years, a nat
uralized citizen and an owner Of land
ed property. The voting qualifications
in 1891 were varied so that the con-
sent Of two thirds of the burghers in
a ward was necessary. Plainly, the
Beers have aimed to exclude new
voters. The gold mines are taxed q
per cent, but the miners have been
practically shut out of the legislature.
In recent negotiations the Beers Of
fered TO modify the qualifications OF
voters, but boldly coupled this with
the demand that there should be no
further claims Of British suzerainty.
To all appearances this is claim Of
complete national independence. The
Beers have gone to war to end all
British authority for themselves and
for other Afrikanders who will join
with them to make South Africa Boer
instead of British.
In the large sense this ls the ques-
ton at stake. At the end Of the pres
ent struggle British authority will be
supreme over South Africa or the
Afrikanders will control it through ii a
confederation speaking the Dutch Ian
guage and asserting distinct sover-
eighty in the company Of nations. So
far as oppression is concerned the Ult-
landers assert that they are the only
sufferers. 1t is perhaps unfortunate
for the Beers that they once stormed
a British position, taking it brilliant
ly, and killing several hundred Of its
defenders. They are imprudent to
measure their proves by that one
battle. But in any case the war they
have entered into will decide the pro-
blem of suzerainty, which is at best
an indistinct and unsatisfactory word.
The Beers have undertaken to discard
it altogether, and the only way to do
it is to fight. Bot it is desperate
venture in view Of the odds. So far
as thirst for empire and gold is con-
cerned one side has no greater incen-
tive than the other. Success would
give the Beers unrestricted dominion
over the gold mines and substantially
over South Africa. If they lose they
will be British colonials, and the Ca
madam. and Australians are raising
troops to force that fellowship upon
them, or rather to vindicate the idea
that II has alyayg existed 10 some ex-