New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-02

Both sides have been TO blame from the be-
ginning for the Anglo-Boer conflict in South
Africa. That is the fundamental fact set forth
by Mr.. Ireland in the work before us. In the
early years OF British occupation OF the Cape
the British policy marked with vacillation,
irresoution, bad faith and, indeed, almost every
evil quality. Nor were such faults confined TO
early years. They came to the fore with de-
structive effect soon after the remuneration Of
the TransvaaI in 1877. when Sir Theophius
Shepstone and Sir Bartle Frere were fatuously
replaced by Colonel Lanyon and General Wose
ley. They We're stin dominant when Gladstone
first demanded the undoing Of annexation. then
himself refused 10 undo It. and finally granted,
as the reward OF rebellion, what he had refused
10 peaceful petition. Nor were they ended even
then, but revived with tragic effect in
Sir Hercules Robinson's all bur incredible blum
dering and betrayal OF the Outlanders after the
wretched Jameson raid. II is deporable chap
ter Of history but most instructive one. fruit
full with suggestion
From the outset. too, the Beers were seriously
at fault, especially in their attitude toward the
natives. The first breach of the peace due
70 their insistence that the black had
rights which white men bound TO respect.
a Boer assaulted a native. He summoned
TO appear in court 10 answer to the complaint,
but refused. a warrant was issued for his ar
cute it peacefully. But he and his friends re-
sisted by force Of arms the-to Recommendations
principle that white should be called TO
account for his treatment of a black man. A
fight ensued, in which the Boer who had caused
all the trouble killed. His riotous neighbors
were arrested. and five Of them We're condemned
TO death. This was the incident which has be
come TO the Beers historic as the beginning of
their resistance 10 British tyranny. 1t certainly
ham ra53t TD6e ctar of
them with everlasting infamy. For the British
Governor pardoned the FIVE Beers who were
condemned, and gave the writ of pardon 10
the local field cornet. a Boer. to in their
behalf. But the latter from motives OF per
sonal spite" are told. but certainly with a
deliberate wickedness and ferocity seldom
equalled IN the annals of crime, put the pardon
IN his pocket and suppressed II, and let the
be put to death. II therefore in fact not
the British Government, but q Boer official that
was responsible for the tragedy
Nor was Boer culpability confined TO the early
years. Mr.. Ireland recalls some incidents in the
later OF Mr. Kruger that commonly
forgotten. One IS that Kruger himself led mill
tary raid from the Transvaal into the Orange
Free State. quite after the Jameson style, to
force the Orange State into annexation TO the
Transvaal. Like Jameson too, he defeated
and had TO for peace. But a result of
ahe raid the Orange State constrained to
pledge Itself grant within its borders the
rights and privileges TO the burghers and
subjects Of the South African Republic shall
be afforded TO those Of the Cape of Good Hope
and Natal" Thus more than forty years ago
room Paul" made against MS Boer nefghbors the
very same demands which Mr.. Chamberlain
sast year made against him, and which he then
so bitterly resented; and he used, IN trying to
enforce them. the Identical methods which DR.
Jameson af1erward used against the Transvaal
and which the Transvaal in the latter de-
nounced unexampled villany Even more
grave is the charge. which seems be perfectly
well founded. that while the Transyaal dele
gates to London in 1854 knew quite we'll that
the revised convention did not abolish the Brit
fish suzerainty- they went back to the Transvaa
and reported that il did. thus deliberately mis-
leading the people into a false belief in Trans
Haal independence
The persistence Of the Beers IN maintaining
slavery, though in direct violation Of their
agreement; the increasing danger of native wars
Involving the whole of South Africa. the bank
ruptcy Of the Transvaal and the general col
lapse OF the Pretoria Government in 1877, are
set forth by Mr.. ireland with admirable lucid
tty. The fact is also recalled that Mr.. KRUGER
himself accepted the establishment Of British
rule In 1877 and became an office holder under
it resigning a few months later because he
could not get increase Of salary for which he
had asked! The question arises whether that re
fusal was not the origin OF the war Of 1880 and
OF all subsequent trouble. Had the increase OF
salary been granted Mr.. KRUGER might have
remained 20 the end Of his days a loyal subject
and stipendiary-of the Queen, The grievances
rf the Outlanders prior to the jameson raid are
succinctiy set forth. Mr.. Ireland emphasizes
the fact which we have hitherto dwelt upon,
but which Boer partisans seem inclined to for
get or TO conceal. that the Transvaal National
Union was formed by the common people. and
not by the capitalists Of Johannesburg The
CAPITALISTS indeed looked upon it with dis
favor preferring to let things remain they
were rather than run the risk Of loss in agita-
ton and possible strife. The object OF the Union
was. moreover to maintain the independence Of
the Transvaal, and its leaders refused TO have
anything TO do with DIR. Jameson and Mr.
Rhodes until The latter gave the most positive
assurances that they would make no attempt TO
force the Transvaal under the British flag The
Americans at johannesburg were especially ac-
five in demanding reforms and redress Of griev-
Ences, and thus incurred the displeasure Of
..oon Paul" who asked deputation Of them
which side they would take in case Of crisis.
1.-The side Of liberty and good government was
their reply Whereupon "Oom Paul" exclaimed
s'You are sn tarred with the same brush; you
are all British in your hearts" From which II
might be inferred that liberty and good govern
rnent were Gistasteful TO the Boer President. at
least when applied to others.
Mr. Ireland has no apology to make for the
Jameson raid. which he calls OF the most
unfortunate events that have ever happened IN
South Africa He does not, however gloss over
the bad faith and brutality with which the
leaders Of the Reform Committee were treated
at Pretoria. That the State Attorney persuaded
fet,- -