Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1899-08-18
ENGLAND AND THE rEASsvAAL.

Taai republic in South Africa are on
the verge Of war, Soldiers are being
hurried from England to crush the
spunky little nation und Dom Paul is
preparing to give them a warm re-
ceptiou. Unless the Boer authorities
concede .he demands OF England that
u joint inquiry DO made into the
status Of the outlGnders, chiefly Eng.
lishmen and Americans, particularly
regarding their right to q voice in
the government, war is sure to come.
The following from an Eastern en-
change gives TN interesting account
OF the people OF tho Trausyaal, it's re-
sources and the troubles that have
caused the strained relations now cx-
tsting between it and England:
Tho population Of the Transyaal
consists chiefly OF native Africans,
but the government Of course, is in
the lands OF the Beers, or descend
nnts OF the Dutch settlers in that
country. According 10 the census OF
1896 there were 2i5,397 whites and
G22,5C0 blacks III the country. or the
whites, 1891 are males, and OF this
number about %two-thirds are outsid-
ers or, rs they are called, uitlanders
or o~utlnnders. Pretoria is the cap.
ital, bnt Johannesburg, at the heart
Of tue great Witwatersrand gold
fields, ia the largest town.
The Beers or governing class are
chiefly agriculturists. They love the
soil and care little for developing the
vast wealth in the precious metals Of
their country. That is principally
done by the o%utlanders. who are
heavily taxed, particularly in the cx-
plosives used in mining, without hav-
ing n1y voice in the government and
while they are subjected to many
disabilities.
Tho revenues OF the republic in
1887, according to an article in the
Chicago Times-llerald, were S22,00O,.
600 and the expenditures about SOL
100000. The tax on explosives alone
amounted to- al, 100000. During the
past three years the Boer government
has been preparing for war, securing
among other things more than S2.50O,- |
600 worth OF ammunition. Tho pub
lie debt OF the republic is n little
over S~l1,01l,O00.
The President OF the republic, Paul
Kruger, is a man OF remarkable force
OF character and statesnanlike abili-
ties. lie has all the sturdiness OF his
race combined with simplicity Of life
and undaunted courage. Tho Beers /
themselves went into the African will
dcrncss and created n civilized state
far from the great world, surrounded
only by the savage natives and the
primeval wilds OF that distant land.
They wished to live in peace, unmo-
Tested by the strife, the ambition and
cupidity Of their fellow men, content
to cultivate the soil and enjoy the
fruits o. their industry and frugality.
But in nm evil hour Cor them gold was
discovered i'll fabulous quantities
within their domain and the usual
rush OF treasure seekers followed. |
In 1881 the gold found there amount
ed to only $4,000. In 1891 the pro.
duct was worth Sl4,Ii4.4l4; in 1893.
30, 000, 200; in 1897, G0,OOO,OOO, md
in 1898, $4,000, 900.
With the appearance of advcntur.
crs, mostly from America and Eng.
land, to secure the treasure OF the
mines, the troubles of the Beers be.
gam. They saw the danger that their
state would be swamped by
aliens and began to hedge themselves
about with restrictive and ~prescrip-
live laws. They made the acquisition
Df citizenship almost impossible and
instituted oppressive measures with
The view to discouraging the tide OF
invasion which had set in upon them.
Naturally the outsiders grew res.
tive under these restraints. British
capitalists were interested and gave
support to the demands OF outsiders
for greater freedom and some repre-
sentation i'll the government. This
straincd condition in feeling has been
increasing for several years, accom-.
panied by frequent outbreaks, until
it looks as il England would
have to take up arms in behalf Of the
interests with which she is identified.
There are 2G,200 men OF theBocrs sub.
jet to military drill,a small .orcc with
to face the British empire, but
every man Of them is a dead shot aud
nm indomit able fighter. Should Eng.
Iand seriously enter into war with tho
Beers /. is not at all probable that
.hc would retire from it until she
could dictate terms to the republic.
s--=
Major Ross said ! q recent lecture