New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-23
THE CAUSES OF THE WAR.
MR.. REITZ'S AMBITIONS.


From The London Times Of December l, 1888
THE Cape Times" just received by mail. con-
tains an important letter from Mr. Theodore
Schreiner. a brother OF the Cape Premier. well
known for his temperance and religious work.
based on a manifesto issued to the Orange Free
State burghers by Mr.. Reitz. State Secretary OF
the Transvaal. Mr., Schreiner says:
In this shameful and shameless document 81, Sir
Alfred Miner Mr. chamberlain the British CAB
ton declared TO be murderers robbers. breakers
present war between the republics and England IS
sought to be laid on their shoulders in wealth OF
1 feel impelled to write the following lines. not
pale Of argument' but to throw little personal
historic light on the question as 10 who is re-
10 show that not England. nor Engiands Queen,
England's Government. are the real originators
l met Mr.. Reitz. then a Judge OF the Orange Free
eighteen years ago shortly after the retroeession
Of the TransvaaI. and when he was busy establish
every one that at that time, at all events, England
away the INDEPENDENCE Of the TransvaaL for she
had just 'magnanimouSly" granted the same;
had just made peace intention to seize the Rand
gold fields for they were not yet dise9ysTsd Al AZ
to get me to become a member Of his AfrikandeF
gramme refused TO do SO. whereupon the foliowitnS
eolloquy IN substance took place between Us wnlch
since:
Reitz-why do you refuse? Is the object Of get
tiers not good One2
Myself-Yes ii is; but seem to see plainly here
between the lines of this constitution much more
ultimately aimed at than that
RettZ-What?
Myself see quite clearly that the ultimate object
aimed at Is the overthrow Of the British power and
the expulsion of the British flag from South Africa
Rettz with his pleasant conscious smile as one
whose secret thought and purpose had been ess
covered, and who was not altogether dispensed
that such was the caSel-Well what II II IS Sot
Myself-YOu don't suppose, do you. that that naS
Is going to disappear from South Africa without
tremendous struggle and hght2
Reitz with the same pleasant, self-conScious sell
satisfied, and yet semt-apOlOgette smIel-WelL l
suppose not; but even what OF thats
Myself-Only this. that when that struggle takes
place you and will be opposite sides; and what
Is more. the God who was on the side OF the Trans
Vaal In the late war. because Il had right On It's
side, Will be on the side OF England, because He
must view with adherence any plotting and schem-
ING 10 overthrow her power and position IN South
Africa, which have been ordained by him.
Reitz-Wen see.
Thus the conversation ended, but during the sew
enteen years thai have elapsed have watched the
propaganda FOR the overthrow or British power in
South Africa being ceaselessy spread by every pos
stble meanSthe press the pulpit. the platform the
schools the colleges the LegislatuFe-unttl ID has
eliminated IN the present war, or which Mr.. Reitz
and his co-Workers are the origin and the cause.
Believe me, sir, the day on which F. w, Reitz sat
down 70 pen his ulttmatum 10 Great Britain was
the pFSpdest and happiest moment OF his lie. and
one which had for long years been looked forward
70 oy MIN with eager longing and expectation.
he and his eo-Workers have coT ysAxs Rssk 49,