The Irish standard., 1900-01-27

and made the additional claim of para
1t seems, to judge from the
events OF the last few years, that as
long as the Beers were few and poor
England did not object to the acknowl-
edgment OF their independence, but as
soon as they became richer and more
she found it necessary to
question and to mperil this independ-
ence in every way. This is as true OF
the Orange Free State as it is OF the
Transvaal
about 1870 the diamond fields of the
Free State were discovered, and it was
not long before England found pre-
text to annex them. England, indeed,
promised compensation OF foo, o,ooo
for mines whose annual yield is
fI5,ooo,ooo. And the 100000 still re-
main to be paid. Or the taking OF these
mines Sir Arthur Cunyl,amc, COM
mander in chief OF the British forces.
said: 1t is downright robbery, and
every Englisl, gentleman feels ashamed
of it,
And when Sir Alfred Miner re-
Gently began to assert England's su-
zcrainty also over the Free State, what
remained for her to do save to cast in
her lot with the Transvaal? And thus
arose this war. Is it not magnificent
spectacle, this struggle of an infant
race OF 100000 people against an over
grown and gigantic empire OF 100000
600. This small band OF patriots, head :
cd by the immortal Kruger, stands
guard at the Thcrmopylac OF Alri-
kander civilization, guarding their
country's liberties against the hordcs Of
unrightcousness.
But | hear some one say: What
about the franchise? There seems to
be a great deal OF misunderstanding
about this matter, and after thorough,
study of the situation | am convinced
that the great outcry made by the
Outlandcrs was much about nothing.
Why should Chamberlain make the al
legged refusal of the Transvaal to de-
crease the period OF probation for full
citizenship from fourteen to five years
a casus beli, when in Old England
herself period OF twelve years is re-
quired before the foreigner can cast a
ballot for member OF the House Of
Commons. And not even native Eng.
lishman can votc for member of the
First British Chamber, the House OF
Lords! That would be an unhcard OF
innovation, and perhaps a century from
now the Beers Of the United States Of
South Africa will have to introduce this
extraordinary privilcge-dcmandcd, it
may be, by some of their own country
men residing in England
Cape Colony was a crown depend
cncy half century before any one had
the right OF ballot. How many OF the
taxed citizens OF British India have a
right to vote for their representatives?
After England had annexed the Trans
vaal, from 1877 to 1881, did she give
her new subjects, the Beers, the much
desired ballot? No, she did not. Yet
she cxtortcd taxes, far more unjust
than those OF the republic. And in
Rhodesia to-day, where also there are
thousands OF English citizens and Out
landcrs, there has been no provision
made for the franchises. There are, in
fact, millions OF Englishmcn now with
out the right of ballot; and has cleo
toral reform in England been of such
rapid growtl, that Englishmcn have the
right to manifest such aggressive impa-
ticncc at the slowncss of another coun-
try?
MANY new elements have conc to
swell the Transvaal's population; clc-
mcnts both desirable and otherwise:
and these diverse elements have not yet
had time to be assimilatcd Sixty
thousand crimes and misdemeanors
were committed in johannesburg last
year! This is sufficient commentary.
A hundred and sixty thousand stran-
gers. some healthy substantial business
men and hordcs OF diseased and un-
principlcd advcnturcrs, came into Jo-
llanncsburg alone during the last ten
years. and it is safe to say that not
more than 500 OF these ever had the re-
motcst idea OF becoming burghcrs OF
the republic. 1t was the gold OF the
Transvaal that lurcd them Into those
wi!ds, and they intended, almost to a
man, when this thirst was satisfied, to
shake the dust OF Africa from their feet
The inconsistency of the Out1andcrs'
demand is furthermore shown by the
fact that by far the greater part of the
English foreign population desired the
right OF citizenship without forswcaring
their allegiance to the Queen. In view
OF the circumstances and conditions, is
it strange that President Kruger re-
fused to let down the safeguards OF the
republic? Was not his caution its sal
vation?
"Most OF the Outlandcr grievances
have been manufactured in Downing
street, by Chamberlain and company,
compounded to suit the needs OF the
hour, and to give color of right to a
long determined, unrighteous policy