Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-08
VIEWS OF THE CAr
THE TRANsvAaL.
ITS FUTURE DISCUSSED IN BRIT
ISH HOUSE OF COMMONS.


(By Telegraph to Virglnian- Pilot.)
stni fills the political stage. His I'M
expected but adroit announcement in
the House of Commons yesterday that
civil government would bc given to the
two Boer republics, coupled with his
promise to limit farm burning and
other severe military measures so far
as possible. has taken the bottom out
or the chief amendment of the oppo-
sition to the address. This new phase.
combined with the failure OF the Kru-
ger mission and the fact that the Wor-
cester Dutch congress passed off with
out trouble, will persuade the public
that the South African situation is less
menacing. and will help TO secure con-
sent of Parliament to the necessary
financial measures.
Mr.. Chamberlain said the government
hoped-it was he and not prohpesy-
that very shortly indeed before the
House met again. something in the ma
ture of a civil administration might be
established both in the Orange river
and the Transvaal colonies. Sir AL
fred Miner, he added would be APP
pointed governor of both.
Mr.. Chamberlain said lieutenant
governor would be appointed for the
Orange river colony, and that both
governments would have executive
councils. but not necessarily the same
constitution. Mr.. Chamberlain also
said he had suggested to Sir Alfred
Miner the Issue of procamations i'm
English and Dutch setting forth the
governments intentions which were
animated by no vindictiveness against
the men. in arms The government
thought 1t impossible that reasonable
men could ask 1t to fix day when full
self government could be granted. The
government had laid down three OH
jects. First. to end the guerilla war.
1t would not surprise him If the Beers
had destroyed more farms than the
English. Never in history had n war
been waged with so much humanity.
The women had only been deported
for their protection. The native pop
ulation was answerablc for the acts of
proved outrage of women and children,
and 1t had been shown that in no case
had n British soldier been justly ac-
cused. The farm burning was greatly
exaggerated. Lord Roberts had only
sanctioned the burning of farms as
punishment in cases of completely in
the rebellion or damage done to the
railroads The government sustained
Lord Roberts absolutely.
The second object was that when
paciflcation was accomplished n crown
government would be instituted.
The object was ultimate self govern
ment.
Mr.. Chamberlain said he hoped the
civil government he had outlined
would be Inaugural ted in February. The
municipalities would be created as
soon as possible. notably at Pretoria.
Boemfontein and Johannesburg. with
all municipal privileges. Afrkanders
would be employed as officials as far
as possible, and every man. Boer or
Brton, would have equal laws and
equal liberties.
He frankly admitted that there was
prospect of famine, question.
he said. which the new administration
would have to take in hand the cost
involved being met "out of the taxes
OF the country"
Mr.. Asquith contendcd that amnesty
should be granted to the Boer leaders.
Mr.. Timothy Healy. Nationalist,
warned the Beers against accepting
British shams." He said 1t was n
question whether 1t was not better to
be a dead Boer than n British subject,
but he declared that he did not believe
the conduct of the British soldiers in
South Africa had been ms black as
that of the American troops in the
PhilipDineS