New-York tribune., 1900-03-25
REBELS.
ENGLAND WILL DISFRANCHISE THE
DUTCH OF CAPE COLONY AND
NATAL AFTER THE WAR


Government in connection with the present
trouble In South Africa, Of the most diff
fcult is that which relates to the manner in
which il has become necessary to deal with
those British subjects IN Cape Colony and in
Naal Who have taken up arms against Eng
lard during The last six months. Their status
is entirely different from that of the BOer of the
Orange Free State and If the Transvaal- For
both Of the South African republics are regard
ed by Great Britain bona fide belligerents.
AM from the moment they have been recOg-
nZ.d as such their Durghers are entitled TO all
tn consideration o1 a fair and open enemy, ir-
respective Of the previous subjection Of the
Transyaal TO the suzerainty Of Queen Victoria.
Thire is no likelihood OF any Transvaal or
o--nge Free STATE Beers being punished by
the English for having borne arms against
h n They have merely done their duty. 1t is
doubtful e~en whether they will be made liable
10 any war tex. with view to the payment of
The inevitable indemnity, and it is under
stood that the latter viii he secured by Great
Britain through the confscation Of the State
rai-oais Of both republics
PARALLEL FOR AMERICANS
The status Of what are known at the Cape
a the rebel Dutch is, however. altogether
different In order to appreciate their conduct
let Americans imagine this country to be in
EoIyed in a war with Germany, and then
20 find itself attacked in the rear. stabbed.
50 70 speak, in the back, by thousands
q able-boded men Of German birth or
lineage, who are in the enjoyment Of all
the rights and privileges Of American citi-
ms. Ii these American citizens of German
lace had risen in rebellion against Uncle Sam
d Inc moment when the latter was engaged in
var that taxed all his resources against the
haiser-if these insurgents had taken advan-
@ge Of the situation to carry fire and sword
among those Of their fellow citizens who had
no German blood in their veins, burning their
hoasess destroying their crops and property
and looting their belongings-what would the
N7atment be which the United States Govern
h-nt acting in Difference to popular senti-
4snL would mete out to these rebels?
is necessary TO bear this in mind in con-
Alerlng the problem now confronting England
III South Africa The hypothetical case of the
'@'e Germans IN this country in the by no
means impossible event of a war between the
Nl'ed States and Germany is identically the
same as that Of the sO-called rebel Dutch" in
ape Colong, Natal and other British colonies
q south Africa There would be the pre-
me only preteXt-namely, the existence
|es OF race between the rebels and the en-
"! Save for this there is no excuse for such
heachery
- e uihcult TO estimate the numbers Of these
'ei Dutch" IN South Africa. But far as
n De ascertaned there are some fifteen thou
'1H' Of them who have actively taken up arms
9''iSl England. while a number more have
'H discovered 10 be engaged in acts of less
oiSioyalty. such as furnishing the enemy
-" information, spelling stores and provisions
man was caught in the act Of punching
I 1n hoies in alright tins Of canned food
l- III nae been stacked At a roadside station.
ruined several thousand that way
Ing olhers again have devoted their energies
lung telegraph wires blowing up small
= '''a ofldges, and in other ways endeavoring
p 'per and obstruct the movements of the
o'SA troops All Of these rebel Dutch" are
ahother.
hRiToNs WHO HELP THE ENEMY.
h., are yet others who likewise merit retrl-
., ana yet who are likely to get off scot
tf aHude 10 those British subjects in South
va. "ho' enjoying all the benefits and ad-
-. 80 u British rule at Cape Town, restrict
and manifestations Of disloyalty TO chatting
~, 1eeilng al English officers and soldiers
/ Ave been invalided to the base owing 10
| So. " sickness, expressing undisguised
| Inc Tor the enemy. and openly manifest
| ma 7H intention Of using all the political
| igb,.- ai their command to prevent the pun-
| hsr. " Their fellow British subjects who
| tras., D0en taken in arms or caught in acts Of
| gre q. - against the English A graphic pict-
| 70 nso :. UIsIoy alists, if 1 may be permitted