Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-04-24
SOUTH AFRICAN BLUE BOOK.
Last Halt Year Has Been One OF Rstroares esslon,
so Far as Peace Is Concerned.

ence, was issued last night.
Sir Alfred Miner wired, under
date of March 8, requesting permis-
sion to return home at an early date
upon leave of absence for the pur-
pose of resting. Mr.. Chamberlain,
the Colonial Secretary, replied by
granting this request, but expressing
the governments regret that it
should be necessary for Sir Alfred
to leave South Africa at the present
time, quite recognizing, however, his
need for rest and mentioning three
months as possible period Of absence.
In a dispatch dated February 6
Sir Alfred Miner reviews the situa-
ton in South Africa, and says that
he has hoped some definite point
would be reached at which it might
DC possible to sum up that chapter
of history containing the war and
forecast the administrative construc-
tion which must succeed it.
"But am reluctantly forced to the
conclusion that there will be no such
dividing line" continues Sir Alfred,
"and | have not the slightest doubt
of the ultimate result, but | foresee
that the work will be slower, more
difficult, more harassing and more
expensive than was at one time antici-
pated. At any rate, it is idle to wait
much longer in the hope of being able
to describe clear and clean-cut stu
alton. In spite of the confused char
acter of the present position, l think
it better to attempt to describe, how
ever roughly and inadequately, the
state of things as they exist to-day.
"lt is no use denying that the last
half year has been one of retrogres-
sion. Seven months ago this colony
was perfectly quiet, at least as far as
the Orange river. The Southern
half of the Orange River Colony
was rapidly settling down, and even
a considerable portion Of the Trans
vaal, notably the Southwestern
districts, seemed to have definitely
accepted British authority and to
rejoice at the opportunity to return
to orderly government and the pur-
suits Of peace. To-day the scene is
completely altered. 1t would be
supcrflous to dwell on the increased
losses to the country caused by the
prolongation Of the struggle, and by
the form which it has recently
assumed.
"The fact that the enemy are now
broken up into great number of
small forces raiding in every direc-
ton, and that our troops are simi-
larly broken up in their pursuit,
makes the area Of actual fighting,
and consequently of destruction,
much wider than would be the case
in conflict between equal numbers
operating in large masses. Moreover
the fight is now mainly over sup
plies. The Beers live entirely on
the country which they pass, not
only taking all the food they can lay
their hands on, but looting the small
village stores of clothes, boots, coffee
and sugar, of all of which they are
in great need. Our forces are com.
PEELED to dcnude the country of
everything movable in order to frus-
trate these tactics of the enemy.
"Thc loss of crops and stock is
more serious to the Bocrs," con
tinues Sir Alfred Mil, er, ethan farm
burning, of which so much has been
heard. say this not at all as an
advocate of such destruction. am
glad to think the measure is now
seldom, if ever, rcsortcd to-"
Continuing, he says:
"rhc consequences of the war, al
though grave, are not appalling. The
country people will need help to pre-
vent them from starving, and proba-
bly, certain amount of capital. A
more serious effect of the last six
months is the moral influence of the
TecTudcsccncc OF the war, especially
in Orange River Colony.
"South Africans are sick unto
death of the war;" he says, "but are
prepared to suffer in order to make
South Africa indsputably one
country under one flag"
He believes that the young
country will rccupcratc in a few
years when the war is over.
Among the letters are three dis
patches from the government of the
Netherlands to the Dutch Consul
General in Pretoria before the war,
advising Mr.. Kruger to adopt a con-
ciliatory attitude.
One of these says:
"Thc German government, like
myself, is convinced that every
approach to one of the great Powers