The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-08-30
THE TRANSVAAL.

THE IRANSN AAL.
The reports from Boer sources and
from English sources are very contra
dictory. The story that 1000 British were
captured by General De Wet has not
been confirmed and that information
came via Lorenzo Marquee, a very
doubtful source. Another story which
comes to hand speaks of Generals
Botha and Meyer concentrating at
Machado-dorp, with 5000 Beers and the
whole of the Boer artillery including
the heavy guns which were taken from
Pretoria. This place is where Kruger
is supposed to be with his train ready
10 take him into Portuguese territory.
On the other hand we have the news
that General Roberts considers the war
over and that the details of pacifying
recalcitrant Beers and putting a stop
TO unorganized lawlessness are all that
is necessary to bring the situation to
an end. In conformity with this the
General has adopted a very different
code to what he first employed. His
plan originally was to treat the inhab-
itants with exceptional leniency. The
result of such leniency has been prac-
tically a series of murders of British
soldiers and British officers. A man
who is apparently a peaceful farmer
today, takes pot shot at an unsuspect-
ing soldier who is quietly smoking his
pipe tomorrow. The Boer may call this
kind of thing war, but nobody else
does.
The present situation in the Trans
vaal is accentuated by the attitude of
President Kruger. AS far as true war
is concerned, it is really over. Guerilla
warfare may be continued indefinitely.
There have been many instances of
this, Schamyl and his Caucasians de-
fled the whole force of the Russian EN-
pire for years. The end came, and
Schamyl gave up and was treated with
distinction by the conqueror, but the
struggle cost thousands upon thou
sands of lives in a hopeless fight which
consisted of desultory forays, burned
homesteads and peaceful fields laid
waste. The Caucasian provinces are a
great deal better off today than they
were in the days of Schamyl.
III Kruger We're really consulting the
good of his country he would get up
steam on his train and run himself and
his millions of treasure into Portuguese
Territory. But he does not so care.
He has been at the head of an oligarchy
and he hangs on to the last vestige of
power at the sacrifice of the lives and
property of many ignorant followers.
When things reach the pass that they
in, -,
nothing else to do than what Lord
Roberts has done. Severity is the
greatest kindness and leniercy becomes
criminal. Indeed it is doubtful in deal
ing with certain races whether there
should be leniency in warfare. Whether
the iron hand does not in the end more
quickly bring the benefits of peace.
Upon the merits of the Transvaal war
there will always be strong difference
of opinion. At the present prejudice
colors both sides and their sympathiz-
ers. 1t is very difficult to judge con-
temporary events impartially. There
is no doubt, however, that the whole
fabric of the British Empire was
shaken, and that if that power was to
remain as potent factor in the worlds |
affairs, every nerve had to be strained
TO keep it intact There is also little |
doubt that the early British reverses in I
Natal had their influence upon China |
The Dowager Empress judged British
influence was gone, and thought she |
could disintegrate the other Barbara
ans"
This is perhaps not to be wondered
1t. Any one having the press comments
translated to them, and not under
standing the Western methods would
imagine that the whole Western world
was ready to get by the ears. 1t was
not only the Dowager Empress of China
that made this mistake, but a far more
astute individual, President Kruger.
He thought when he plunged the Re-
publlcs into war that the Western
powers would interfere in his favor. He
reckoned without his host and practi-
cally wrecked what had been a most
successful and remarkable career.
There have been many causes at work
to bring about world complications.
South Africa has been one of the most
potent.