Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-01-11
NEWS TRAVELS QUICKLY.
Have a MystcriOux Method
of Communications.

Both South African and British In
T, dian papers refer TO the keen interest
taken by the natives in the TWO coun-
tries in the war between the British
ana the beers. regular system of
| communication is said TO have been es-
| tabllshed between stations on the west
and the northwest frontier of India and
the hill country. by which all informa
ton concerning the progress of the war
is transmitted with extraordinary ra-
pidity among the tribesmen. How it is
cone is a mystery Vet unsolved; but
one Indian paper attirms that the news
OF the beginning of hostilities in South
Africa was already known across the
frontier when it was received at pesha-
wur by telegraph. The effect of it was
seen III the agitation that began among
the tribes, and in Il call sent out by the
mullah OF Povindah for 5000 men to as
sembIe, ostensibly to march against
some recalci1rant chieflains. He also
issued proclamation ascribing the de-
1eats OF the tribesmen last Year to the
want OF harmony among them, and
pointing out that if they wanted to re-
cover their independence they must rise
all together. In consequence of this
agitation a British force has been sent
to the frontier to the point threatened.
"A Rhodeslan paper, in announcing the
outbreak of the war, laments the alb
sence of Geographic communication be-
tween Beira and the cost towns of Natal
and Cape Colony. by which news could
be received of the progress of HOSTILE
ties, and says that if all other means
OF communication fail they will have to
fall back upon the native houseboys.
1t says that il has certainly been more
than surprising in previous African
wars how early and correct was the in
formation the natives seemed 10 pos
sess. An instance is given in which
during the last Mashona war the Ma
shonas in the tmlali district knew of
the battle at the Shanghai river on the
evening of the same day ON which ii
Was fought. How such speed of COM
munication was secured is still a puz-
ne. Whether it was done by shouting
trem hill TO hill or b., feet runners in
relays. the result, ,he covering of 400
ii. les IN eng hit hours, Was Il marvel
y writer describing the interest taken
By the Rhodcsian natives in the war be-
tween the British and Beers says thai
the war is to be regretted because of
the demoraIizing effect it is producing
on the natives. One of the greatest |
projections which the white man car
ries with him among the Bantu tribes is |
the belief that all white men are broth
ers, and that AN injury to one will be
by all. Further, among the
benefits which the white man has
brought to Africa is the possibility of |
peace. Var in all its aspects has been
for SO many centuries the ural Or
Ger of things that it has more than as
tonlshed the Rantus. to which the Malta
belle, Mashonas and other tribes in
habiting fhodesia and the neighbor-
ng territories belong. to meet with
people who believed that peace. not
war. was the best condition of things
Now that the native has discovered that
the white men. too. can fight with each
other. the attempt to impress the ma
ives with the advantages of peace will
fail. and for this reason the war is to
be regretted. But the danger of a gen
aral native rising is not unprecedented,
he security of the whites in the alb
ence of union among the various
iraals, the chiefs of which. while ready
o fight each for his own land, cannot
De brought to act in alliance with one
mother or under the leadership nf a
paramount chief-N. y. Sun.