The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-08-21
KITcHENER's PROCLAMATION,

San Francisco CAN.
A recently issued parliamentary paper
contains the full text Of the proclama-
ton Of Lord Kitchener on Angus; q
calling upon all Boer commanders and
leaders to surrender their forces before
September Is under penalty OF being
permanently banishei from South AZ
r,ca when captured. The proclamation
contains the further announcements
The cos. OF the maintenance Of the
families Of all burghers in the field who
have not surrendered by september Is
shan be recoverable from such burghers
and shall be a charge upon their prop
erty. removable AMI !mmovabla, in the
two colonies"
The proclamation IS preceded by a
long preamble setting for,h reasons
which in the judgment Of Kitchener
justify IL, These, briefly stated are;
The orange Free sstlts and the South
African republic has been annexed to
Ms maies:y's dominlons; his majes;y's
forces are in complete possession Of all
the sears Of government of the TWO re-
publics and OF all towns and offices;
majority Of the citizens OF the republics,
to the number of 5000, exclusive Of
those who have fallen in war, are either
prisoners or have submitted to British
authority and are living peaceably IN
the towns Of the colonies; the burghers
still In arms have los; nearly all ;he'r
guns and are incapable OF carrying on
regular war; they continue, however. TO
make isolated attacks upon ou.pos;s
and to disturb the country, thus check
ing the resumption OF industry; his maj
es,y's government Is determined TO pu;
an end 'to a state Of things which IS
almlessly prolonging bloodshsd AMI de-
struction and inhicting ruin upon a
grea; majority OF the inhabitants"
The preamble closes with the asser-
Ion: 81. is just 10 proceed against
tnoss still resisting. and especially
agalns. those who, being in a position
Of authority. are responsible for the con-
dnuance Of the present state of lawless-
ness" Therefore the proclamation is
Issued that the comm3ndan:s, field cor
ne.s and other leaders Of army bands
must surrender by the date named or
be permanently banlshed
The design Of the proclamation : Of
course to bring the war to a speedy eni.
Virtually it amounts to a warning hat
hereafter the Beers win not be treated
as prisoners Of war. It is an open dec
larad1n Of a determination on the part
Of he British to conquer at all hazards,
and from the tenor Of the discussion
concerning the advisab!llty Of arming
the blacks to help on the conques. It
seeems more than probable that f the
Beers still continue the struggle they
face a fight conducted according % the
severezt methods known to the wars Of
any period.
The burghers have already proven ihe
truth Of Kruger's statement hat they
could not be conquered except at a cost
that would "stagger humanity"
Kltchener's proclamation ami the men
ace OF an uprising OF the blacks add
additional blows to those net have al
ready staggered the humanity Of The
civilized world. To many Of the Beers
the threat will Of course be an idle one
They would prefer banishment % sub
mission 10 British rule, and as their
property has been already destroyed
they can suffer no further loss IN that
wav. Thev will. however, have TO con-
slider not themselves but others, and
that consideration may make come Of
the bravest hesitate. The crisis in the
war has been reached, and it remains
10 be seen how the valiant defenders II
the liberties Of South Africa will NEE. It.