Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-03-31

London, March 2G.-Colonel Plumer
apparently has retired to Crocodile
pools and Mafeking seems further off
than ever from relief. This news was
contained in a dispatch from Bula-
wayo, dated Monday, March 10, and
published in the second edition Of the
Times. These advices further say
that il is thought the object of the
Boer demonstration March Is and 16
was to cover removal of the siege guns
from Mafeking. Frcnch's activity in
the Orange Free State may well be
preliminary to Il forward movement
by Roberts with the main army.
A dispatch from Bloemfontein dated
Thursday, March %, says Krueger is
reported TO have issued II proclama-
ton declaring Great Britain is in dire
peril and that the Russians have oc-
cupied London.
A Springfontein telegram published
in the second edition of the Times
says: "The apparent submissive atti-
tude of the Free State should be ac-
cepted with caution. \ large proper
ton of obsolete and inferior weapons
are being turned in by them to the
British, giving the impression that
large stores Of modern mausers are
being concealed"
The Outlook's special correspondent
at Cape Town says: Feeling is rum
ming strong against the leniency with
which the rebels of Cape Colony and
Natal are being treated by the British
authorities"
Steyn and Kruger Out.
The Daily News has the following
from Bloemfontein, dated Wednesday:
at is rumored that Mr.. Kruger
and Mr.. Steyn will meet at Kroon-
stadt, in the Orange Free State, April
4, to discuss the future program. The
feeling between the Transvaal and the
Free State is very bitter"
A special correspondent of the
Times at Bloemfontein, telegraphing
Thursday, says:
yesterday Mr.. Kruger issued n
proclamation anneXing the Free State
to the Transvaal. Mr.. Steyn immedi-
ately issued a counter proclamation
declaring the Free State still intact"
Treatment of the Rebels.
The Mail prints the following from
Winston Churchill:
Treatment of the rebels is now n
very important question. They may
be conveniently divided into four
classes, ringleadCrs, rebels taken in
arms, rebels who make voluntary sur
render otherwise than on the field of
battle and lastly, rebels who creep
back to their farms without going
through any formality.
persons coming under the first two
categories who have melted a district
TO rise or have plundered the farms of
loyal farmers or committed any dis
honorable act Of war, whether sur
rendering or taken in arms, deserve
severe treatment, for the crime of re-
bellion has led to all kinds of misery
and destruction. Moreover, it is most
desirable to d~ifferentiate between this
class and others who have a wish to
make their peace, whether formally or
not, who should be sternly directed to
remain on their farms working at their
ordinary business under her majesty's
pleasure. This policy, l understand,
is to be practically adopted in Cape
Colony, but in Natal, where there is
yet a loyal majority who feel very bit
terly towards their neighbors, who
have assisted to bring such evils upon
the land, more severe treatment is
apparently desired.
81 cannot help thinking this would
be a mistake, because for one surren-
dering rebel h~andcuifed and jailed ten
desperate men will resolve to fight
to the bitter end. We must not try
for our pound of flesh, but only to
bring about speedy and permanent
peace. A proclamation tending to EN-
courage assertions from the republic.
an armies similar to that issued by
Lord Roberts would be useful here,
Many Natal Dutch farmers are
anXiously watching the reception
those who surrender receive, un.
moved alike by loyal passions or i'm,
practical sentiment. The imperial
government must establish a uniform
system of treating the unfortunate
misguided people and ! plead for a
system i'm which mercy already treads
close upon the heels of justice. We
have by us a means of monopoly OF
right in this quarrel. Our African rec,
ord does not entail us to Judge harsh.
ly, and whatever the rights or wrongs
the only goal must be a happy con,