Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-09-03
BLACK PERIL IN SOUTH AFRICA.
1t Threatens the Future Supremacy
Of the White Race.

Ot mite naCes
The British government will have to
interpret the permit to bear arms by
the Beers literally, or there will be a
greater problem to deal with than re-
stocking farms and starting the wheels
Of industry. When the Beers surren-
dered their arms the natives were not
obliged to turn In rifles that had fallen
into their hands. Army officers might
plead ignorance Of the possession Of
weapons by natives, but such plea
should be ruled out. 1t was criminal
to make no Investigation. for the hatred
which the black feel for the Beers was
intensified by the war. In the eyes
Of the natives the Beers have lost caste
and prestige by their submission, and
liberties may be taken with them. Any
one could have foreseen that an un-
armed Boer on the veldt would be at
the mercy Of british Zulu who had
managed to possess himself Of a rifle
and knew how to use it. Stories Of the
murder Of Beers returning to their
farms are now coming in, and stories,
too, Of outrage Of white women by the
blacks. Permits to bear arms are is
suable to Beers for self-protection and
for hunting, but forms have to be gone
through before the permit Is granted.
No man likes red tape less than the
Bosr, and he would rather do without
his rifle than wear out his shoe leath-
er in a magistrates office. II the late
enemy cannot be trusted with weapons
for defence the blacks. they cannot be
trusted at all. 1t would have been
graceful act If the government had re-
turned to the Beers who live in the open
country the rifles they had carried dur
ing the war, so that they might pro-
tect themselves and their households
against the blacks. Nothing could
have been lost by such magnanimity;
in fact, 1t would have developed 10y
atty at time when every movement
Of the government and every proclama-
tion is regarded with distrust.
It is often said that racial war may
be expected in South Africa, and that
when it comes Dutch and British will
forget their differences In union against
the common enemy. But 1t Is not
good preparation for the day to allow
the Boer to be exposed to the tender
mercies Of the insolent and murderous
black on the old homestead. The native
question must be settled in South Afri-
ca, but the settlement of 1t must begin
right. The British will have. to take
sides either with the Bosr or the black,
and not let false philanthropy come
between them and their new subjects
at the outset. South Africa, that Is,
Africa south Of the Zambesi, German
and Portuguese territory excluded, has
an area Of 100000 square miles. and
Of It's population Of 4.500, 900. Is per cent.
or more are native. Outside the towns
the white settlers are scattered far and
wide while the blacks retain their tribal
organization. The war has taught them
the virtues of the magazine rifle and
they have seen how a few men IN
trenches can hold an army. 1t will be
bad day for the white man In South
Africa when the black men collect
enough rifles to be troublesome. I'm
mediate and complete disarmament Of
the late allies of the British is impera-
tive, whether the safety of the Beers
is considered or the future supremacy
of the white race.-New York Sun.