Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-06-27


against either the Beers or the British
OF many hard fought feld. Collect.
lively they are not SO strong, for they
are divided both by distance and racial
hatred, though all the tribes arc very
much alike, being descended from !
common stock. However,. their very
numbers render them formi midnble. On
the whole, it may be said that they
are more favorable to the British than
to the Beers, for the reports of Bosr
cruelty to the natives are true, though
often exaggerated.
The name Kaffir, 80 often heard, ia q
generic term and Includes znlus, Ba-
sutos, Bechuanas, Matabeles and 9TH
ers. OF these the most civilized ana
best organized race and the one to be
taken into consideration most is the
Basutos, who number about 25O.Oo0
and inhabit Basutoland, to the south.
east of the Orange Free State (Orange
River Colony. The Basutos, like all
the other tribes. are extremely jealous
of any interference with their internal
affairs, although they are nomirally
under British control For instance,
recently. when the cattle disease was
prevalent in South Africa, the govern.
ment Of Cape Colony established a
quarantine on the border by means of
colonial troops. The Basutos were
alarmed, and their chief, Lerothodi,
sent strong body of men to the
frontier, and the colonists were COM
PEELED to retire to avoid trouble.
The blacks in their present state are
a great and growing menace to the CIV
ilizatlon Of South Africa, for, numer-
GUS as they are and strong as they
would be IL combined. they could wipe
out every vestige of civilization If they
were to rise against white rule. The
only hope for future British rule is to
keep them divided. In the meantime
striving to Christianize them and edu-
cate them into sense of responsible
ty. With education they are certain
to discover their own strength, and
then it will be impossible to avoid ac-
cording them at least some share in
their own government. 5w at
Under peaceful conditions the Kaffirs
are certain to grow in numbers and in
wealth. Formerly, when fierce tribal
warfare prevailed, there was no ques-
tion of white supremacy, for the wars
kept the blacks from attaining to any
real power in South Africa. Now that
peace is imposed upon them by the
sovereignty, real or nominal, Of Great
Britain they are bound to assert them
selves in the government, and how to
prevent them by peaceable means from
becoming the whole government is the
problem that confronts British states
manship.
A favorite form of amusement among
the British soldiers is "the disappear
ing Dutchman." One of the soldiers
rigs himself up in a slouch hat and
long false beard and gets into barrel.
while the others shy sticks at his head
at so much throw. There are holes
In the cask near the top which enable
him to see when to bob up without
being hit.
The latest story Of the multimillion-
aire COLOSSUS of South Africa" Cecil
Rhodes, is to the effect that during the
siege Of Kimberley he refused to par
take of food especially prepared for
him and insisted on receiving the usual
siege ration. Going into the club one
morning and seating himself at table,
he was speedily served by the waiter
with savory dish of ham and eggs.
whats this?" asked Rhodes. "Your
breakfast, SIR" returned the waiter.
Rhodes thereupon carefully wrapped
up the smoking dish and took It with
his own hands TO the town hospital to
delight the palate Of some invalid SOL
dier and. returning to the club. called
for the regular siege ration, probably
of hard tack and horse meat.
CECIL HoYT.