Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-11-07
STEYN's CALL TO ARMS.
Orange Free State President Address,
es Stirring Proclamation to
His BurgherS.

NEW YORK, Nov. 6.-The consul general
OF the Orange Free State in this city gave
out to-day the text of President Steyn's
proclamation calling on the Orange Free
State Beers TO support the Transvaal. The
proclamation reads in part follows:
Burghers of the Orange Free State:
The time. which We had SO much desired
10 avoid, the moment when we, ma
ton, are compelled with arms to oppose in
Justice and Shameless violence is at hand.
Our sister republic to the north of the
Naal river is about to be attacked by an
INSCRIPTIONS enemy. who. for many years,
mas prepared himself and sought preteXts
Tor the violence of which he is now guilty,
whose purpose il is TO destroy the exist
ence OF the Afrikander race
Hlth our sister republic we are not only
pound by ties OF blood. of sympathy and of
common interests. but also by formal treaty
which has been necessitated by circum-
stances; This treaty demands of US that
We assist her II she should be lnjIStly
attacked, which We. unfortunately, for
long time have had too much reason to
look on while injustice is done her and
while also our own dearly bought freedom
is endangered. but are called as men 10
resist, trusting the Almighty, firmly be-
heving that he Will never permit injustice
and unrighteousness TO triumph.
Now that we thus resist a powerful en-
emy, with whom ii has always been our
highest desire 10 live in friendship, not
withstanding injustice and wrong done by
MN 10 US IN lnt past. We SOlelfnlS declare,
in the presence of Almighty God, that we
are compelled thereto by the injustice done
10 our kinsmen and by the consciousness
that the end of their independence will
make our existence an independent state
of TO significance and that their fate.
should they be obliged to bend under an
Overwhelming power. will also soon after
, he our own fate.
Solemn treaties have not protected our
sister republic against annexation, against
conspiracy, against the claim of abol-
iSnel SuZerainfy- against continuous ~
preston and interference and now against
q renewed attack which aims only at her
downfall.
The desire and intention to trampIe on
our rights. as an independent and sovereign
e. nation. Notwithstanding solemn conven-
tion existing between this state and Great
Britain. have also been more than once
and are now again shown by the present
government by giving expressions in pub
lie documents to an unfounded claim of
paramountcy over the whole of South AZ
riea and. therefore also over this state.
No feeling of shame has prevented the
British government. now that gold mines
Of immense value have been discovered in
the country. to make claims on the repub-
lie the consequence of which, If allowed.
fathers. have saved the country from bar
barism and have won il for civilization
with their blood and their tears. will lose
their control over the interests of the coun-
try. 20 which they are justly entitled, ac-
cording 10 divine and human laws.
, For years past British troops in great
of our sister republic in order to compel
her. by fear. to accede TO the demands
which would be pressed upon her. and in
order to encourage revolutionary disturb
ances and the cunning plans of those whose
greed for gold is the cause of their shame
less undertakings,
Those plans have now reached their
Climax in the open violence to which the
present British government now resorts
W Whfle We readily acknowledge the honor
able character of thousands of Englishmen
who l0ath such deeds of robbery and
wrong We cannot but abhor the shameless
breaking Of treaties. the feigned pretexrs
FOR the transgression of law. the violation
OF International law and of Justice and the
numerous right-rending deeds of the Brit
Ssh statesmen. who will aow force a war
upon the South African republic On their
heads be the guilt of blood and may a
Just Providence reward all as they deserve
'-Burghers of the Orange Free State rise
as one man against the oppressor and the
violator of right
In the strife TO which We are now
driven. have care TO commit no deed un-
worthy of a Christian and of a burgher of
the Orange Free State Let us look for
ward with confidence to a fortunate end
OF this conflict. trusting to that higher
power, without Whose help human weap-
ons are of no avail
May He bless our arms Under his
hammer We advance to battle for liberty and
1or iatherland- " T STEYN.