The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-19

0. p. Austin, Chief Of the Treasury Blu
roau Of Statistics, in a recently issued
statement, has the following 10 say in re-
gard to Cape Colony. the seat Of the pres
eut war between Great Britain and the
Beers.
Cape Colony. which occupies the most
southerly part of Africa. came under
riush control in 1896. Originally discov-
cred by the Portuguese in 14S5. it was
used by their vessels as a place OF call.
and for deposit Of letters OF passing yes
sells. but it passed into the possession Of
the Dutch. and i'm 1852 the Dutch East
India Company established a fort. and
occupied the lands adjacent. for the pur-
pose Of furnishing supplies 10 their pass
ing ships. but not wifi. the object of es-
tahlishing il as a colony. Il was cap
turod by the British in 1886. but in 1893
was restored 10 the Dutch Government.
and in 1906 was again occupied by British
forces, and at the general peace OF 1914
formally ceded to the Dutch Government
to the British Crown, and soon became a
British colony.
Foundation of the Laws.
The Dutch population largely remained
retaining tenaciously their customs and
language. which 10 to the present day is
an officially recognized language in the
colony. the Dutch as well as the Eng
fish language being used in the Parliament
and the courts. The laws are founded or
a Modification OF the Roman Dutch law.
Tine area OF Cape Colony is variousIy
stated at from 2T7,000 to 2g2 600 square
miles. the length from north to south
being nearly 600 miles, and the breadth
about 450 miles. though this statement OF
area and length includes British Bechuan-
aland, which was incorporated with Cape
Colony in 1895, and whose area alone was
u 1925 square miles
The total population OF the colony is
now given as 2,Oll 305. Of which number
about 100000 are white, the greater NUM-
Der being Of Dutch descent. The princi-
pal events since the British came finally
into control are. The first Kaffir war. in
1874; the removal of a portion of the
Beers to Natal and the Orange Free state.
in 1896; the second Kaffir war In 1871.
introduction OF representative government
IN 1898; first diamond discovery, in 1867;
introduction Of responsible government. in
1872; incorporation Of Transkein terrific
ries with the colony, in 1885,: annexation
OF Rhodesland, In 1894 and annexation of
Bechuanaland in 1895.
Mountain ranges. running at a distance
81 from $50 TO 200 miles from the coast. &C
cupy the central and northern parts Of the
original area Of Cape Colony. the territory
lying between the mountains and the east
being the chief grain and wine producing
districts while along the southeastern
coast, where there are summer rains. to-
5occO and corn are successfully grown
Between the mountain ranges OF the in
terror are the great sheep. cattle. and horse
ranges. and the important industry OF os-
trich farming. Sull farther north is an
elevated tableland which supports large
numbers OF sheep and contains the chief
mineral districts The agricultural indus
tries are more especially under the control
OF the Dutch population, while those relat-
ing to minerals and commerce are con-
trOlled by the British residents
The Mineral Resources.
''The minerals include extremely rich de-
pOsits Of copper, yielding percentage Of
from S2 to 30 per cent, the exports Of 1887
amounting 70 27,S21 tons, valued in round
terms at 81. 500 .000 Coal OF cor siderable
value is also produced
Diamonds, however are the most valua
bic product. They are chiefly found at