Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-14
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
Disputed Points Treated in the Shape
Of a Dialogue.
SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
As Seen by an American Citizen
Here.
CAUS ES OF THE AR

CAUS SEES OF THE WAR
A well-known citizen of the District. who
signs himself IAN American Citizen" has
prepared the following dialogue the
war in South Africa, which he holds gives
the truth about some points little under
stood in this country.
Is it true that the origin of the war in
South Africa is to be sought in the greed
of England for the gold fields and the dia-
mond mines?
By no means. The real origin of this
war dates back to period seventeen or
eighteen years ago. and is to be sought
in the ambition of Mr.. Kruger and his
friends to expel Great Britain from South
Africa and to establish confederation
of Dutch republics under the leadership OF
the Transvaal. Mr.. Theodore Schreiner. a
brother of Olive Schreiner. testifies that
this plan was disclosed to him more than
seventeen years ago, just after the indie
pendence of the Transvaal was restored
by Mr.. Gladstone. Since that time there
has been carried on an active propaganda
for the overthrow of British power in South
Africa through the press. the pulpit, the
platform. the legislature. Confidently
military preparations have been going on
upon a colossal scale, the cost being met
by the taxation Of the Outlanders. Thus
the purpose which has eliminated in this
covery of the gold fields or the diamond
mines.
But did not the Jameson raid provoke the
Beers to prepare for war?
No, for it is established beyond doubt
that they began their armament years be-
fore that raid.
But are not the Beers fighting to estab-
lish their independence?
of aggression with the purpose of taking
from Great Britain her two colonies. Natal
and Cape Colony. 1t was the Beers who
declared war and as soon as it was de-
clared they invaded the British dominions
and every shot that has been fired since the
opening Of the war has been in British ter
ritory. Their purpose is shown by the fact
that as fast as they have advanced into
the British colonies they have issued proc
lamations annexing the districts which
they have overrun to the Boer dominions.
Outlanders' Appeal.
But did not England force the war by
the demands which she made upon the
Transvaal?
The British government responded to an
appeal signed by twenty-one thousand of
her subjects, to secure to them the rights
which had been promised by the TransvaaI
but which had been for a series of years
withheld from them. By the convention
of 1881 the Beers bound themselves to give
equal rights to the Outlanders. The latter
asked for the franchise in order that
through its exercise they might redress the
grievances and correct the abuses under
which they were suffering.
What were some of these grievances?
The OutlanderS constituted majority of
the population. They owned three-fifthS of
the land. Through their enterprise and in
dustry and capital they had developed the
resources of the country so that from 4
bankrupt state. with less than two dollars
Il, a traa haI 80 ba r;o
and powerful, with revenue of twenty
millions of dollars. Nevertheless, these men
were denied civil and political rights and
were subjected to the grossest misgoyern-
ment without any power of redress. Peti-
tons and other forms of political agitation
during a series of years had resulted only
in broken promises and disappointed hopes.
Matters grew worse and worse Though
they paid nine-tenths Of the taxes they
were not only denied the right of repre-
sentation, but their children were not per-
mitted to be taught English In the schools.
1t was forbidden also to use the English
language in any business transaction. They
were refused the right of bearing arms
Public meetings were forbidden. The COM
munity was placed under a brutal Boer
police, who inSulted and outraged the peo-
pie at will. No Outlander was permitted
to sit on a jury, but every Outlander
against whom a charge was made must be
tried before a Boer jury. Under these cir
cumstances they finally appealed to the
queen to demand a redress of their grie-
vances on their behalf. AS to the matter
Of taxation, compare the state of Pennsyl-
vania with population of 600O,00O, and
revenue to the amount of $13, 500 600, with
the TranSvaal whose population is 800 goo,
and taxation more than $40. 100000 nine
tcnths of which, moreover, is paid by the
$50, 600 Outlanders. To crown the hard
ship, these millions taken in taxes are not
to any appreciate extent expended in in
ternal improvements or for education, or
for the public benefit.
But If these Outlanders were not satisfied
with the system of government, why did
they not leave the country?
Because, having been invited by Mr.. Kru-
ger and the authorities of the Transvaal
to invest their money and settle in the
country fifteen or twenty years before, and
having been promised equal rights and pro-
lection they had the right to expect de-
cent treatment for themselves and their
families. 1t is not SO simple a matter 20
abandon home and sacrifice vested inter-
ests. In fact. no sooner had they begun to
come in any considerable numbers than
the terms of citizenship were altered, first
from one year to five years residence, and
then to fourteen years residence. In this
last case, any one desiring citizenship must
renounce citizenship in any other country
and remain citizen of no country for
fourteen years, at the end of which time
he might secure the right upon two cond-
tons: First, he must secure the signatures
Of two-thirds Of the Beers in his district
in favor of his citizenship. Second, the
ger and his advisers for their approval.
The Two Governments.
But after all, ought not Americans to SYM
pathiZe with a brave little republic en-
gagged in a death struggle with a powerful
empire?
No; for the English empire is. in fact, an
imperial democracy. and stands for the
same principles of liberty and self-govern-
ment that our American republic does,
whereas the Transvaal republic is a repub-
lie only in name. Democratic government
does not exist there. 1t is an oligarchy in
which all the power is held by minority of
the population. 1t. in fact. repudiates every
principle of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. Government there does not rest
upon the consent of the governed. Relig-
ious liberty does not exist. Liberty of
speech is subject to Mr.. Kruger's will. Tax
alton Is imposed without representation
For example, Johannesburg. a fine modern
city, with a population of over fifty thou
sand is not permitted self-government. Its
municipal administration is entirely con-
troued from Pretoria Its police are a
body of Beers, appointed by Pretoria Such
is the insecurity of life and liberty in Jo-
hannesberg that mothers are compelled to