The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-02
THE TRANSVAAL WEALTH.
A Description of the Territory Claim
ed by the Bocrs.

Description of the Territory Claim
ed by the Beers.
The Bureau OF Statistics of the Treasury
Commercial Africa" in which the follow
ing is said of the Transvaal:
The South African Republic or the
Transvaal. as it is frequently termed. lies
Immediately north of the Orange Free
State. and was formed by a party OF Beers
who left Cape Colony in 1885 for Natal.
but Withdrew from that colony on its an
nexation to the British Crown.
I'm 1852 the independence Of the Trans
vaal was recognized by the British Govern
ment. In 1877 however, it was annexed by
the British Government, but in 1880 the in
habitsnts took up arms aga INST the British
and were successful in a sharply fought
battle at Majuba Hill. February %, 1851,
aud a treaty was made by which. accord
ing TO the 'Statesman's Year Book. 1899
self-government was restored to the Trans
vaal so far as regards internal affairs. the
control and management OF external at
fairs being reserved TO Her Majesty as SUI
Zerain.
Another convention agreement with the
Government of Great Britain was signed In
Stato is 20 he I,nor-r ~ ct ,srioa,,
RennbItc and INC urittsb sn,a-a;rt,, 20
stricted In ,bo cor,-oI -, for,i, roi,,i,,s,
of is fargsIy win referencS 70 Tho g.
tent of suzsraip newer rs,oiraJ ~, The
treaty. nj 1854 tho, ,ho ..oa,, ..,,,r,i,,,, no
t,yoon ,bo pritisL ,,c,.ar,,,,a,,t - ~, -
tbo sou,h ,tr;oa,, pa',.,lI,. - -,
C,roo, d;-,,,ieta.tia,, ~ -, 81. a.,,s,,,
tho Ior,,o ,,,,,h.r ., pri,is,, rosidonts -,
tho penI,bl;c hecarso 30 ~, b.a,-,, tavation
i,nnos.d ,,ror ,ha,,, h., ~ Co,.ar,,,snt ~
the Stato ard tho;r i,ahui,,, a., ,,,rtici,,,t :
in tho government o,ving 70 tho long tern
of resido,,c,, rc,,,,;-o,I 10 ob,,in o,.on
tiaI rigbt NJ rrancbiso
The laws of tbo, STATE arc enacted bv
n parliament Of two cba,,bcrs Tho srct
mr. bi,hsr cba,,h,r ora,,in,, Ia-,o sha-e
or thn Ia,ys i,d.nonIan, ~ ~ ,o,,.o-
borsa ,,hioh or;Si,',ae ii, ,,,,,,.,,,o.. ~,
Ia,ira 90 ,a-,,irs -, s,,r,i,,,s...
,ior ,,d nil, aar,,s, ha,o,,,, - ,,,;,h
on, ,ha a,,,'ro,.a, =, ~ -. - ~,
~, - ~ g.. ~ pPP.i ',Ss..., -,
"a H.. ~ G.. -. I,.,.,.e.e - -
ne ,i's ~. eiiel ".o In
n,,, MAJ 80 ~ e"S
O' VI VIM eooN
q" . 49, p'-., VI cue wal vi inae
IN 1901 vi suoSepueut WAITS, anu 'hs UNI
ureh oil sucn persons over the age Oh SIX
teen. inns eondition Nouid deprive per-
sons natives Of other countries oil beeom-
ing 'hrst-class burghers' and thus obtain
ing me privilege OF participating IN the
election oil the PRESIDENT or the mousse wnich
enaets the most important oil the laws ana
has veto power upon all measures orisi-
mating in the lower house.
THE second class burghers' may become
members of and participate in the election
of the second chamber. the second class
comprising the natursiized male alien pop
ulatioa and their children over the age Of
sixteen. Naturalization may. according to
the 'Statesman's Year Book 1899 be OBJ
tanned after two years residence and reg
istration on the books OF the field cornet.
oath OF allegiance. and payment OF c. and
naturalized bughers may. by special reso-
luton of the first or higher chamber. be
come first class burchers twelve years after
naturalization.
The area OF the Republic is 1879
square miles: the white population. ac-
cording to the State almanac for 1898. Is
3i5. $50. aud the native population, AS. 759.
The seat of government is Pretoria with
a white population OF 10000 The largest
town is Johannesburg. the l.ining centre
of Witwaterstrand gold helis. having a
population within radius Li three niles.
according TO the census OF 1895. OF 102.07S
persons. OF which number 50.9OI were
whites. 90 Malays 1891 Coolies and Chi
nesc 42.522 Hafirs. and 2.s7? OF mixed race.
"Ono-third OF the population of the Re
public is estimated to be engaged in agri-
culture the lands OF the Republic generally
outside the mining districts being eN-
tremely productive. a9d the demand for
farm products in the mining regions very
great. even In excess oil the local products
at the present time. The gold mines are
/ the most productive in the world, and