The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-05
FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Dutch Population VIII Predominate
and when British Rule Comes
VIII Control Government


NEW YORK. June 4--The Tribune 5
London correspondent writes: The imme-
date sequel TO the war will be the an
nexation OF tho two Dutch common
wealths OF the British empire. There will
be temporary arrangements for military
government, but ultimately they will be
converted into self governing dependen-
cies OF the crown. like other colonial pos
sessions. A. time goes on the same ten
denotes which have brought about con-
federation in Canada and Australia viii
operate In South Africa.
That this confederation will be essen
TALLY Dutch IN evident from the following
exhibit OF population at the outbreak Of
the war: Cape Colony. $4,000 British.
12s.00o Dutch; Natal, 1900 British 10000
Dutch; Transvnal, 10000 British. II. 900
Dutch; Orange Free State. 1000 British,
1000 Dutch. Bechuanaland and Rhodesia,
5000 British. 1900 Dutch. Totals. 3a5, 900
British. H7.ooo Dutch.
What 10 unmistekahle Ia the preponder-
ance OF Dutch over the British in numeri-
eel strength. In South Africa, as a whole,
there are at least 10000 Dutch In excess
OF tho British population. II n confed-
GRAFTON be formed with a scheme of rep
rescntative government similar to that OF
the Dominion OF Canada. or to that which
will be brought into existence by the
Australian commo nweslth bill. there will
-
vicerey. The Dutch will continue TO rule
Cape Colony and the Orange Free State
and In the Trensvaai they will dominate
every district except the mining camps
OF the Rand.
South Africans predict that there viii
be All immense immigration OF British
settlers 49, soon rs the war comes to an
end and the paramount influence OF the
imperial government IL reached. There
Will be, without doubt, a large increase
Of British population In the mining dis
trict when the Transvaal In converted
into q dependency OF the crown: but ~ IL
by no means certain that immigration
will reverse tho present conditions OF
Dutch prepondcrance In the other colo
MES. The British IN South Africs have
always been townsmen. anc the Dutch
have been farmers and cattle breed RS
The agricultural industries are likely to
remain ~ undtsputed possessi,, OF tho
Dutch hurghers. who dislike the occupa-
tons Of town life and prefer to remain In
the country, The Dutch farms-s have
married In their youth and have haf large
families. The Dutch population has In
creased more rapidly than the British
population during the last nifty years
The British government will have AZ the
end OF the war Dutch empire In South
Africa and II win bs under moral obliga-
tions 10 aiiow these communities OF an
ninistration and TO direct their political
progress
The lines OF racial cleavage will be
sharply defined and the Dutch will under
stand the matter and vote solidly when
ever they are allowed 60 exercise their
rights, II may be decade before q Dutch
government can be supplanted In Cape
Colony, and nothing short OF the division
OF . fresh series OF gold powdered reefs
In between the orange and vaal will CON
vert the Free State into a British com
monwcaith. No large manufacturing In
dustriss are likely TO arise In South Al
rtca and, apart from tho sold and dia-
mond nelds, agriculture and stockralsing
are destined to remain the chief resources,
the vast majority engaged In which with
he OF Dutch descent and deeply prejudiced
against mining camp Adventures and
millionaire owners. Confederation will
only serve 20 unite the interests OF the
Dutch In South Africa and 20 arm them
Tor complete control over the local admin
istretion and material resources OF the
country and the wisest British statesman
knows IN his heart that. whatever dan
EerS there may he IN reserve for the EN-
pire. after the war. the union % the colo
mics cannot he opposed nor the subjects
~ the crown deprived Of the rights Of
self government