New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-29
SOUTH AFRICA'S FUTURE
ANOTHER CRoMER NEEDED
FOB MEETING WAR INDEMNI
TIEs-JoHANNESBURG TO
PAY THE PIPER.
London Anrti Is

future OF the two white races in that vast region
VIII depend IN large measure upon the readtus+
nent OF many complex economic questions on
broad lines. The reforms introduced in Esz-,+
under the advice and supervision OF English ex
perts have transformed the condition Of that
country Work Of the same kind is needed IN
South Africa, and II VIII be more difficult be-
cause the governments Of two republican COM
ruun'ties VIII have 70 be recons+-,,c4ad the
JeaIousies Of two hostile races overcome +be
mining resources Of the richest gold fields In
the world developed and a large share OF the
cost o. me war and Of the maintenance Of a
garrison ranging between 10000 and 10000 men
levied upon such interests as are able to carry
& II the most urgent need OF the military sit
ustion mas been the presence Of a broad minded
general Ike Lord Roberts at the front, the in
dispensable requirement OF the reconstruction
period after the occupation Of Pretoria Will be
the discovery Of a fnancier of the character and
creative genius OF Lord Cromer
The expense of a war which was roughly esti-
mated az 5000. 100000 six months ago is now
rated az $500 600 600 with inherent possibilities
that these figures viii be largely exceeded The
Chancellor 0f the ExcheQuer has declared that
Z considerable portion Of this outlay viii be met
from South Africa and this idea IS favored by
the English press and by leaders Of both parties
rot Only because IL offers relief 70 the heavily
also because Il exposes the mine owners Of the
Rand 70 assessment for the bill Of costs and
thereby serves 70 refUte foreign outc-tes against
''rhe EltlliOuaires' var" az which the Jameson
raid was the opening skirulish In addition 10
the general biI q expenses for the war there
VII be a heavy account for damages 20 private
property in Natal and Cape Colony from the
footing of farmers houses the seizure OF horses
and stock, the destruction OF railway bridges
and miscellaneous losses from raiding and
operations e war. LoyaIsts who have beer
ruined by pillage and confscation in Natal and
-he Orange River and western borders Of Cape
Colony viii present enormous claims for dam
ages. which VIII have 10 be levied upon the
TTansvaal and the orange Free State There
VIII also be large claims from the mining com
panies Of the Rand for gold ''counmandeered'
by The Traasvaal Government for the produce
taken from the mines during the war and for
damages TO machinery and plant. There viii be
q costly garrison 10 be maintained for an in
definite period in the conquered territories after
the close Of hostilities. and the expense viii
rraIly be levied upon the two commemorative
The difficulty Of assessing indemnities and
damages upon the conquered territories VIII be
Increased by the fact that the governments OF
the two 6tates VIII cease TO exist. There will be
neither convention treaty Of peace II the
present policy be followed TO the end. Pretoria
viii De taken and the Transvaai occupied. PTesi-
dent KRUGER and his Council Of State VIII dsap-
year The governments Of the two common
wealths VIII be overthrown and IN their place
VIII be established q colonial administration
after an interval Of military rule. Indennities
cannot be arranged IN the ordinary way at the
close OF hostilities since there VIII be no peace
negotiations and no representative governments
10 pledge their credit and 10 assume the respon-
gibLIties OF ransom Whatever comes out Of
the Two commemorative in payment for the cost
OF war and damages TO private property of loyal
lists must be the result Of some arbitrary scheme
OF compensation 70 he arranged by Imperial
1nanciers and decreed by the British Govern
Enent-
Whatever this scheme may be, it IS evident
that the burdens cannot be carried by the mass
OF the Dutch burghers Of the Transvaal and
the Free State. They are farmers and stock
breeders, and have no resources for meeting the
heavy costs OF the war. Their farming lands
may be subjected 10 increased taxation, but the
amount levied upon them can only be tnsignif-
cant The only available asset which the Orange
Free State VIII have is the railway from Nor
walls Ponr 10 ViIjoens Drift. This
Etructed by the Cape Colony Government, but it
Is virtually a system OF State railway owned by
the Dutch republic. The Netherlands Railway
Company IS a monopoly controlling ali the rail-
ways Of the TraCsvaal, and after involving the
Government IN a large debt for the construction
Of various lines II has come 10 exercise the func-
lions OF the financial department Of the State.
This company WIS foated on the most peculiar
terms. the Transvaal subscribing about one
third II the capital and retaining only six out
% 10 votes based on shares; and after fire.
cuent violations OF the original concession and
.nnurlerabIe scandals II has been paying so per
cent q its profits TO the Government. and can
%aTa f1sETaz- AZ Tvrn we
months notice. This railway monopoly, with
SIS annual revenues Of S15oO0oO0 in peace
times * clearly capable OF being transformed
.nco an asset Of considerable value in the hqui-
ssarson II claims against the TransvaaI for a
war indemnify
johannesburg must pay the piper. The one
resource available for reiulbursing the British
Government for q considerable portion Of the
war expenses and for meeting the loyalist claims
Tor damages IS the mining industry. The Wit
wate-srand with its gold powdered reefs, has
involved South Africa in a terrible race war, ana
s. offers the only adequate basis for the liquida-
ton Ct the enormous claims and indemnities
which VIII De ultimately assessed The kimDer-
Iey mines cannot be touched. because they are
II Cane Colony and were successfully defended
by the loyalists under Mr.. RhOdes's personal
direction; but the gold reefs ara in the enemy's
country and viii render tribute Indirectly TO
the British Treasury and 70 the colonists whose
possessions have beer looted by Dutch raiders
The Beers armed themselves for a formidable
war by taxing johannesburg, and when hostili-
ties opened they drove out the English and
American miners and worked the mines them
Selves 50 far as they were able do It. in order
= defray the expenses OF the campaign. When
peace is brought about the Dutch allies will
expect the mine owners 70 liquidate the obliga-