Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-07-04
THE SITUATION IN AFRICA.

The news from South Africa has
been scanty lately, and some Of the re-
ports sent out bear unmistakable marks
Of the work Of the censors But re-
Gently. It IL claimed Boer sympathizers
IN New York have received eommunica-
tlons from their friends in the field
which, II true, are OF much importance
They represent the African situation
as very much dlscouraglng to the Brit
ish government
They state that the Beers still have
1900 fighters in the field, and that no
less than G,OOO Beers In Cape Colony
have risen against Great Brtaia Cen
eral Botha, It Is alleged, has full con-
ndence IN the final triumph Of the
cause, and he. and the other generals
Dewet, Dearey, Beyers Malan, kfit-
ginger and Meyer have made a solemn
compact not to cease fighting until
Great Britain Acknowledges the inde-
pendence Of the two republics. They
expect to continue three or four years
longer and they are constantly sup
Piled with arms and ammunition cap
tured from the British.
one reason why the Cape Colony
Dutch are rising IN arms Is, that the
government Is imposing upon them the
most rigid regulations For instance
one Burgher was fined $3.50 for haylng
In his possession a copy Of q book, THE
Beers in War" by On American writer.
The book had been suppressed by the
military authorities. Another Dutch
citizen was fined a similar amount for
having a copy Of a pro- oer newspaper
printed In Cape Town. il is further
claimed that the official Boer reports
show that with all the money expended
ON the war by the British less than
1000 Beers have been killed In battle,
since the beginning OF the trouble That
ia considerably less than the British
lost at the Tugela river and spion kop
during the months OF December ana
January year and half ago.
We DO not know how authentic these
communications are. But they seem
to have put new life into the various
pro- Boer organizations IN the East ana
their intention now is to commence an
aaltation for the union Of all Their
friends throughout the country. They
want names for a petition to the peo-
pie Of Great Britain asking the people
10 end the war. They also want names
IN a petitlon to Congress, asking mat
body to urge the President to OFFER his
services as mediator
There has been much speculation as
10 the mission OF Mrs. Botha, and Il
has been thought that she, probably
came TO ask for terms Of peace IN re-
turn FOR a promise Of surrender But
Il now appears that her mission Is not
that The lady is expected In this
country IN the Call in company With
Mr.. Cronwrlghi schrelnei and his wife
and together they VIII visit the prin-
clpal cities and give lectures.
In the meantime, President Kruger
remains apparently inactive. Much
Of his time is spent in reading the
Scriptures. meditation and prayer He
is quite a pathetic ilgure Ia modern
history lie almost reminds one IN
hls retirement OF Moses on the hill top
lifting his hands to high Heaven while
below Israel fought with the Amalek-
ties The parallel Is OF course, very
imperfect. but the old Boer leader fur
nishes. nevertheless a most remarkable
instance OF faith sublime in It's child
like simplicity. He has never yet eX-
pressed any doubt as 10 the FINAL out
come Of the uneven contest And he
does not build his hopes on the number
of his people, their courage or skiil; nor
on the ala OF foreign governments. lie
simply has put his trust in the Az
mighty. and to his mind. disap0lnt-
ment and failure are impossible on
that ground. lie accepts the present
situation as a supreme trial but he
sces-such is falth--triumph and vic
| tory as the deuoument Of the terrible
| drama that is passing before his vision.