Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-06-07
FROM BoER POINT OF VIEW.
South African War Impressed
In n BurEher'n Letter.


A British uitlander, now a naturaiized
TrunsTaal burgher, gives in a letter,
dated Johannesburg, February 20, and
written to friend in New York, says
the Sun, an interesting account of the
situation as it appeared from the Boer
point of view at that date. He says;
"Your letter dated December 20 TO
hand few days ago. have just re-
turned from the front (rugela) escort
ing prisoners taken at Tugela last
week, and os the mail per German steam
er closes tomorrow, take the chance
of writing you. So far the burgher
forces have virtually had their own
way, and though Gen. French with 1000
cavalry has succeeded in getting into
Kimberley, all their commissariat
train, numbering over $50 wagons and
about 1000 oxen, intended for The re-
lief Of Kimberley, has fallen into or
hands. On tho Tugela, Gen. Botha has
three separate times driven Gen. Bull
lcr's forces back with heavy losses on
each occasion, and we believe the re-
lief OF Ladysmith is almost impossible.
That the war viii probably last six
months longer Is likely enough, but,
from what have seen aud kn1,s, we
win not tire In the struggle. and every
day longer In the field makes US more
competent to inflict defeat on the en-
envy.
"The guns incident you refer to be-
tokened carelessness on our part Our
men were so confident that Ladysmith
was completely cowed that they never
anticipated such an event happening,
out having been once bit, there Is very
little likelihood OF such thing hap
penlng again. Ladysmith is approach
ing its end and another week should
herald its downfaiL 0nr engineers are
hard at work constructing q gigantic
dam, and by dssartlrg the course Of
the Kip river, which ruRs through the
town, viii be in q position to food the
place TO a depth Of i5feet.
"As regards the future Of the re-
public, Il seems TO possess every possi-
bility Of success. Il Is well that the
war did occur. Our position will be
all the more secure for the future. and
/ the intolerable interference OF the CO.
lonial Office and the British govern.
ment In the internal affairs OF this
state win be for all time impossible
II the war brings US nothing else Il
will not have been waged In vain. But
/ am sure that II viii mean more than
this, and that in the days to come, ouI
country win be looked upon by the
nations with that esteem and respect
which Is hers by right OF her prompt
and courageous action, One very
heartening sign Is the presence in the
burgher ranks Of all nationalities. the
Irish and Americans being largely rep
resented, but the Frenchman and the
German and the Hollander and italian
are there also, and Il all helps to the
breaking down OF racial antipathlei
and makes for the international soli
darity Of all. Everything Is full Of
hope and we are certain that we arr
going 70 emerge from this struggle
all the better for it's happening
"Afthnr Lynch Is here and leaves iol
the Tugela front In day or two al
colonel Of the Second Irish corps. NJ
doubt you win hear Of him when ther,
happens 70 be more lighting. Wouls
we had few hundred more like him
II would inake the struggle all thl
easier. But IN spite Of all dlfIlcultie
I'VE will arrive. Our commissarlat am
other arrangements are excellent. AMI
4 speaks volumes for the heads Of de
partnents that everything has Ron