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


and Causes" by Alleyne ireland. is a
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 Transvaal The object OF the
work is, OF course. 10 furnish TO people
who have little time for reading. a clear
and accurate account Of the Anglo Boer
situation. This object has been accom-
dished
Mr.. ireland says in beginning his expla-
nation:
The immediate question 70 be decided in South
Afnca is whether the British Empire is strong
enough 10 protect its citizens IN foreign lanl
rom injustice and oppression. Failure 20 carry
The war TO successful issue would prove that The
Empire does not possess this power and the result
would he that the whole magnificent ediGce Of
British Imperialism would fan 10 the ground,
Ahe chiid's house Of cards
He then divides the history Of the
Transvaal into six periods: % from the
British occupation Of Cape Colony in 1914
10 1852 when the Transvsal became a
separate state; t2l from 1852 to 1877.
when England resumed sovereignty; go
the revolt Of 1880 and the conventions Of
1881 and 1854: (9) the growth Of the Tit
lander grievances since the re-erection Of
the Transyaal in 1851; 90 the Jameson
raid and t6) 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 q result Of the war
between France and England, England
raid thirty million dollars for the cession
the Cape Colony by the Netherlands.
he antagonism between the Dutch and
nglish colonists led about twenty years
terward. 70 what is known as the Great
rex. This was partly caused by the
uc1dling Of English missionaries. but
My by the fact that the English inter
f. with the ill-treatment Of natives by
far Dutch. Under the Emancipation Act
on S34, The Dutch were obliged to free
slaves. Like the West Indian plant
ere, they received as compensation some
at less than the market value Of these
slaves. Mr.. ireland admits that at this
time the vacillaung 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. 1872 TO 1877. The
chief reason for annexation in 1877 was
the fact that owing 10 the practice Of
sraals for the purpose Of carrying of
women and children. the Beers were con-
tinually embrciled with the natives. 50
that he peace Of the whole OF South Ar
RIGA was constantly threatened Mr.. Ire
land quotes four Independent authorities
in support OF this statement Cetawayo 1
was ready at this time TO wipe out the I
little Dutch colonies for good and all As
he expressed il THE Dutch had tired him 4
h., s~-#r aHs..H
only once. and drive them over the Vaal." /
Having secured British protection, the I
payment Of national debts. and the rest0r- /
alton OF credit the disamcctod among the I
Beers began TO clamor for independence /
once more. AS Mr.. ireland expresses 81. 4
they wanted 10 have their cake and eat it /
too.
d must be admitted that he author ia
entirely just 10 the Beers in his discussion .
He apparently disapproves most strongly /
Of Cladstone's policy. and points out the
various mistakes made by that couscien- /
tious but somewhat vacillating statesman.
he finally comes TO the chapters which .
viii prove most interesting to the average {
reader those dealing with the grievances /
OF the Uitlanders. lie shows that in Jo-
hannesberg the Beers. numbering J. GOO,
have the majority in the municipal gov
eminent, as against more than %. 600 Tit
landers. He states that OF the s63.OG0
appropriated for education in 1885 the
Uitlanders gave e50. Geo and got G650,
though the number Of Boer and Uitlsnder
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 a 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 s. coo 600 for the establishment Of
English schools for their own children.
but the authorities have expressed in ey-
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 Uiuander. had an alteration
with q Boer and knocked him down. A
few minutes after Boer policemen broke
open the door Of Edgars house
and one OF them shot Edgar
dead The policeman was tried Cn
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 10 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 20 investi-
gate this affair. the South African Re
public gave TO the British Government
Tat refusal.
There is much other Information Of equal
interest and importance So the book and
AZ the end OF 81 all Mr. ireland expresses 3
he opinion that the cause OF the whole
trouble is the fatuous attempt OF one man
10 govern republic 81 the end OF the
nineteenth century by the methods OF the
seventeenth" Boston. Small, Maynard d
20 - cents)