New-York tribune., 1901-01-04
MARTIAL LAW AT THE CAPE.

The situation in Cape Colony seems TO be
growing worse for the British. The invading
Beers are making steady progress. Some days
ago we commented upon the fact that they had
blocked all the railroad lines about midway be-
tween the Orange River and the coast. Ihey
have now carried the war much further south.
They are capturing-and of course lootlns-
towns all through the heart or the colony.
Graaf Reinet is menaced, and guns are being
landed from warship for the protecuon OF
Cane Town itself The Government has issued
an urgent call for volunteers and is proclaim
ing martial law in many districts. Among the
districts now under martial law are Worcester
which Immediately abuts upon the environs of
Cane Town; Ceres, Sutherland and Fraserburg.
which lie Just north of Worcester, and Prince
Albert. which lies on the slopes of the Zwarte
Bergen and at the southern edge of the Great
Karroo Truly, in view of these facts ii will
not be surprising if to-day sees Cape Town itself
under martial law. Not in the worst days of
the early part of the war; when Ladysmith and
Kimberley were besieged, did the Beers carry
their standard so far into the British colonies.
The explanation is easily given, but contains
not much comfort for the British. few weeks
ago it was said. doubtless with truth. that not
more than five thousand Beers were left in the
field, while there were thirty times as many
British soldiers Practically the entire British
army however, was away up north. in the
Transvaal and the northern part of the Orange
State. A few scattered bands of Beers we'll
mounted and knowing the country perfectly,
slipped past them and made their way to the
south for daring raid into Cape Colony, and
while doing so managed TO cut the railroad
lines so as to delay the southwark movement
of British troops. That is how it was done.
a,{~ To0a
was left so completely unguarded and also why
the British army could not prevent such
man9uvre by the Beers. The answer to that
will probably not reflect much credit upon some
one or another in the British service.
The most serious part of the situation Is. how
ever, the extent to which the invaders have
found aid and comfort among the inhabitants
of Cape Colony. Beyond doubt they knew in
advance that they would do so. The recent
Congress of the Afrikander Bond was the most
direct of invitations TO them to make just such
an invasion as this. and was promise 10 them
of help and cooperation. The Boer raiders are
not seeking mere loot and destruction. Their
hope Is TO raise the masses OF the Dutch popu-
lation in Cape Colony into open revolt against
the Government. That was their aim at the
outbreak of the war. and in IL they nearly sue
ceeded. being baffled only by the arrival of
Lord Roberts at Cape Town They are trying
II again. and are coming nearer 20 success.
There is little doubt that some thousands of
the Cape Dutch have already Joined them. so
that the forces now menacing GTaaf Reinet
and Cape Town are composed not so largely OF
invading Beers as of insurgent Cape ColOnists.
II is in truth genuine and serious rebellion Of
its own subjects that the British Government
now has on hand. 1t will suppress IT, beyond
doubt. But the bitterness of feeling between
the two races will be most deplorably intensified
and prolonged.