The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-09
Lord Kitchener Issues q PrOcla-
nation to Beers.
All Who Do Not Surrender by
Sept. 10
MUST LEAVE COUNTRY.
When They Go They win Not
Be Allowed to Return.
Property Must Go to the Sup
port Of Families.

London, Aug. "a parliamentary pr
per has been issued containing prOcla-
nation issued by Lord Kitchener Aug
ust in accordance with instructions
from the imperial government. the gov
ernments of Cape Colony and Natal
concurring. The proclamation says;
'An commandants, field cornets and
leaders of armed bands. being burghers
of the late republic and still engaged in
resisting his mejestys forces whether
in the Orange Colony. the Transyaal or
other portion of his majesty's South
African dominions and all members Of
the late governments of the Orange
Free State and Transvaal shall unless
they surrender before September Is, be
permanently banished from South AT
rica- The cost of the maintenance Of
the families Of all burghers in the field
who have not surrendered by Septem-
Der 10 shall be recoverable from sucn
burghers and shall be a charge upon
their property, removable and immova-
BILE, in the two colonies"
The preliminary correspondence
shows that the proclamation is based
upon suggestions which the govern
ment Of Natal forwarded to Colonial
Secretary Chamberlain July 24,and that
the date September Is was recommend
ed to Lord Miner.
The reasons Of the government for
the proclamation of Lord Kitchener Of
August are set forth IN Dreampie
to the proclamation as follows;
Whereas, The late Orange Free state
and South African republics have been
annexed to his majestys domains and
Whereas, His majestys forces are
and have been for some considerable
time in complete possession of the gov
ernment of both the aforesaid terri
fr.r1a wit Eaf
whole machinery of administration as
well as of all the principal towns and
the whole of the railways; and,
Whereas, A great majority of the
burghers Of the two late republics, to
the number of 49, 600, exclusive of those
who have fallen in the war, are now
his majesty's government and are ilY-
ing peaceably. in towns and camps un-
der control of his majesty's forces ana.
Whereas. The burghers of the late
republics still in arms are not only rev
in number, but have lost almost all
their guns and munitions of war and
are devoid of regular military organiza-
ton and are therefore unable to carry
on regular warfare or to offer any or
ganized resistance to his majesty
forces in any part Of the country; ana.
Whereas. These burghers, who are
still in arms though unable to carry on
regular warfare continue to make ieo-
lated attacks upon small posts and de-
tachments of his majestys forces to
DlunQeE OF QESIOy property anu ~
damage railway and telegraph iness
and,
Whereas, The country is thus kept
in state of disturbance. checking the
resumption of agricultural and indus
trial pursuits; and,
Whereas, His majesty's government
is determined to put an end to a state
of things which is aimlessly prolOnginB
bloodshed and destruction and inficting
ruin upon a great majority OF the IN
habitants who are anxious to live IN
peace and earn a livelihood for them
selves and their families; and,
whereas, 1t is just to proceed
against the still resisting and especially
against those persons who, being in a
position OF authority, are responsible
Of Iawlessness and are instigating their
fellow burghers to continue their hope
less resistance to his maJesty's s govern
ment-"
Then follows the proclamation as
given above.
The afternoon newspapers comment
approvingly upon the proclamation or
Lord Kitchener. Even the Westnin-
ster Gazette says there is no fault to
find with it, nor Is there any objection
to make on the score Of justice it
thinks however. that it is extremely
doubtful if it Will have any effect In
shortening the war. Most of the fight
ing Beers are already completely ruin-
ed and nothing distains them owing 70
the devastation of the country.
The Globe says the proclamation is as
iudicious as It is drastic and that the
only question is whether 1t is strong
enough, adding:
mot even the widest pro-Boer can
humanity. 1t has long been obvious
that such step was imperative in or
der to avert ruin from the inhabitants
desirous Of peace"