The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-11


and Causes" by Alleyne ireland, is
small book literally crammed with useful
information. The author has lived for sew
eral years in South Africa and can speak
with authority upon subjects connected
with the Trausvaal. The object OF the
work is, of course. 10 furnish 10 people
who have little time for reading. a clear
and accurate account of the Anglo Boer
situation. This object has been accom-
plished
Mr. ireland says in beginning his expla-
nation:
The immediate question to be decided in South
Africa is whether the British Empire is strong
enough protect its citizens in foreign lands
from injustice and oppression. Failure to carry
the 10 4 successful issue would prove that the
Empire does not possess this power and the result
would he that the whole magnificent edifce Of
British Imperialism would fail 10 the ground,
like child's house OF cards
He then divides the history of the
Transraal into six periods: % from the
British occupation of Cape Colony in 1914
to 1852, when the Transyaal became a
separate state; 90 from 1852 to 1877,
when England resumed sovereignty; go
the revolt of 1880 and the conventions of
1881 and 1854; t4) the growth of the Tit
lander grievances since the re-erection of
the Transvaal in 1881; (5) the Jameson
raid. and 90 the interference of Great
Britain.
In a brief sketch of the history of the
first epoch he recalls the fact that at the
convention of 1914, as result of the war
between France and England. England
paid thirty million dollars for the cession
Of the Cape Colony by the Netherlands.
he antagoBism between the Dutch and
English colonists led, about twenty years
E-terward. to what is known as the Great
Trek" This was partly caused by the
me1dling of English missionaries, but
mainly by the fact that the English inter-
ferad with the ill-treatment OF natives by
the Dutch. Under the Emancipation Act
Of 1874, the Dutch were obliged to free
thzir slaves. Like the West Indian plant
era, they received as compensation some
what less than the market value of these
slaves. Mr.. Ireland admits that at this
time the vacillating policy of England
gave the Dutch much to complain OF, and
that there was reason for their setting
up an independent government as they
finally did.
The real cause of the present trouble
lies in events which took place during the
period of independence, 1852 10 1877. The
chief reason for annexation in 1877 was
the fact that owing 10 the practice OF
slavery. and the raiding of friendly native
kraals for the purpose of carrying of
women and children, the Beers were con-
tinually embroilei with the natives, so
that the peace of the whole OF South Al
RIGA was constantly threatened. Mr. Ire
land quotes four independent authorities
in support of this statement. Cetawayo
was ready at this time to wipe cut the
little Dutch colonies for good and all. As
he expressed il 1.-THE Dutch had tired him
out and he intended to fight them once.
only once. and drive them over the Wall
Having secured British protection, the
payment of national debts. and the restor-
alton of credit, the disaffccted among the
Beers began TO clamOr for independence
once more As Mr.. Ireland expresses it,
they wanted 10 have their cake and eat it
too.
1t must be admitted that the author is
entirely Just TO the Beers in his discussion.
He apparently disapproves most strongly
Of Gladstone's policy, and points out the
various mistakes made by that conscien
tious, but somewhat vacillating statesman.
he finally comes 10 the chapters which
will prove most interesting to the average
reader. those dealing with the grievances
OF the Uitlanders. He shows that in Jo-
hannesberg the Beers, numbering 1000,
have the majority in the municipal gov
eminent, as against more than $4,000 Tit
landers. He states that of the s63000
appropriated for education in 1895, the
though the number of Boer and Uitlander
children is nearly equal. Moreover, after
the first three years of education. Dutch
is the sole medium Of instruction, this
language being taught for one hour day
during the first year, two hours the second
year, and three hours the third year. The
people of Johannesburg wished to raise a
fund of 50 coo 600 for the establishment of
English schools for their own children.
ed tn
cry way their hostility to this plan The
insecurity of life and property is also il
Illustrated by several anecdotes. Among
them is one known as the Edgar case.
Edgar, an Uitlander. had an alteration
with a Boer and knocked him down.
few minutes after Boer policemen broke
open the door of Edgar's house,
and one of them shot Edgar
dead The policeman was tried en-
the charge OF homicide, and acquitted, the
judge remarking that he hoped the po-
lice, under difficult circumstances, would
always know how to do their duty A
meeting was held in which unarmed Brit
ish subjects assembled TO protest against
this decision, and Boer mob, under the
leadership and encouragement OF the po-
lice, broke 1t up clubbing the Englishmen
quite freely. On being asked 10 investi-
gate this affair, the South African Re
public gave TO the British Government
fiat refusal.
There is much other Information Of equal
interest and Importance in the book. and
at the end of 1t all Mr.. Ireland expresses
the opinion that the cause of the whole
trouble is THE fatuous attempt OF one man
TO govern a republic at the end of the
nineteenth century by the methods OF the
seventeenth" Boston: Small, Maynard &
Co. 70 cents.)