The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-04


the Dropper party, headed by Kruger,
allied themselves with the former in in
trigue against the State, thwaTting all
reform and encouraging the refusal 10
pay taxes. He says this course was pur-
sred by Kruger to GUST me from power
and secure the Presidency for himself.
AGAINST AN'NtxATiON.
.Messrs. Kruger and Jorrissen came to
England to protect against annexation.
but Sir T. Stcpsione wrote II do not
think either Of them wish the Act of An
nexation to be cancelled
.The Beers We're supplied with British
money and arms and soldiers and the
prestige of the flag. Sir r Shepstone
sent a message to Cetewayo, telling him
that the Transvaal was under British
sovereignty and warned him against ag-
sression.
Il am convinced said Sir A. Cunyng-
name. that had this country not been
annexed it would have been ravaged by
the native tribes Forty square miles of
country had been overrun by natives, and
every house burned, just before the an
neXation.''
Sir B. Frere wrote on December 18th,
1877, that he had great anxiety concern
ing the Zulus. and that he had ordered
two frontier districts, Utrecht and Walk
kerstrom to hold themselves in readiness
Sir T. shcpstone, ten days later, wrote,
..The Beers are still flying and, think
by this time there must be a belt CT more
than one hundred miles and thirty miles
broad. absolutely desolate.
From The above one may see that Shep-
stone plucked the fruit that would have
fallen. The Beers were either in favor OF
annexation or were dazed by the hope
lessness of their position and thus pas
sively assented to the action of Sheo-'
stone and his twenty-five policemen.
The Beers We're absolutely unable to
prosecute the Kaf1ir war.
The Treasury contained only 1915 and
the Government one pound; bluebacks
were selling at one shilling. Civil SER
wants salaries were months in arrears
Poor president Burgess had drawn no
salary. and had not only spent all he
had, but had incurred very heavy liabil-
ity.
During the occupation period Kruger
took office under the British Govern
ment. along with DR. Jorisser and Chief
Justice Kotze. and all the officials, except
Mr.. Piet Joubert. who had protested to
the Beers against annexation mr.. krus-
er retained his Office for some time, bat
resigned his post on being refused an
Increased remuneration. There can be
but little doubt, that had this induce
ment been forthcoming, he would have
remained a loyal British subject
The country's debts were paid. Seco-
coeni and Cctewayo were paciiled, trade
revived. Now when the country had plenty
The Anti-Annexation party. who had spo!s-
en- so unpronounced before. came for
ward and welded together q party. Sir
Bartle Frere Informed them that he would
not recommend repeal.
Plet Joubert and a party of Beers
surprised a detachment of British, who
had no idea Of an engagement and easily
oyerpowered them. and this was known
as the battle of Bronkhorst Spruit. Capt.
Elliott and Lambert were taken prisoners
and poor Elliott was trcacherously shot:
but the story is too well known 1oI repe-
1ltion.
THE 13oes now invaded Natal and
took up strong position ON Laings Mex,
and Sir George COtley endeaVoreu to
GUST them. but by some mistake the
mounted infantry charged and carried the
Boer position before the foot climbed
the hill, and thus both sections were
easily overcome.
Nineteen days later occurred that crush
ing disaster which has always sent
thrill through an Icnglishman, and which
has acted as a talisman to the Boer
The mistake of mixing troops was clearly
brought home at Majuba, and the want
of mounted infantry was all along evil
dent in the past wars with the Dutch
of the Transvaal. l hardly think 1t worth
while describing or explaining every bat
tie; you should be able to get book
for a penny that will do that; but there
were E.any unfortunate events IN TINS
short war which gave rise to bitter feel
ings and a desire for revenge. Bronx
horst Spruit, and the murder of Captain
Elliott, the shooting of DR.. Barbour and
Mr.. Walter Dyas; again there was the
murder Of Green in Lydenburg, who had
gone to the Boer camp 'lnarmed and
in good faith, only to have his brains
blown out by the Boer with whom he
was conversing; there was the pubac
fiogging of an Englishman because he
was an Englishman. and there were var
ious white flag incidents the basest cum
ming on the part Of the Beers, who stoop-
ed to the lowest actions to achieve their
desires.
A SUBLIME ACT.
Mr. Gladstone was prime minister OF
England and when he heard OF the reSls-
lance the Beers were offering to the Brit
ish, and when he received word that
the Generals in South Africa had the
Beers in the hollow of their hands, he
came forward and acknowledged their i'll
dependence. This act of Mr.. Gladstones
may, III some respects, De lel1llcu Olie VI
the Srandest and most sublime acts in
the history of the world.
When a nation was clamorins for re-
yense. and when everyone OoW as well
as them knew that there was no chance of
resistance, he generously gave them
what they desired. and only hoped that
they would understand his gift, make
good use of it. and do equal justice to
his fellow subjects.
On August Sth. 1881, the Transvaal
State was free, subject to certain con-
ditions. During its brief existence under
British rule, it had it's trade restored,
its enemies crushed. and its debt paid,
or consolida ted. in the form of debt to
England, repayable when possible.
For some time not even the interest on
this debt was paid. Numbers Of British
subjects left the country in disgust, in
despair. ruined-the men who had entered
tie I'ra1rsvaal and invested their capital
and expended their energies were left to
take care of themselves, with the poor