New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-11
GOVERNMENT AT THE CAPE.

Mr.. Chamberlain has gratified his friends and
disappointed his hostile critics with his de-
cisiOn in the matter of the government of Cape
Colony. 1t will be recalled that for some weeks
past there has been a vigorous demand on the
part of many influential loyalists at the Cape
for the suspension of the constitution of that
colony and the arbitrary government of it for
time as a crown colony. This il was urged
was necessary if the colony was to be restored
TO full loyalty and if the results of the war
were to be improved and safeguarded It was
declared that the Afrikanders, who form the
majority of the present Parliament would oppose
and thwart all efforts Of the Governor and of
the imperial government TO consolidate and con-
firm British interests in South Africa and
would practically throw away in peace all that
had been gained in war. 1t was pointed out
that many of the issues of the war were to be
finally settled by the Cape Government and
that there was no hope of their being settled
right by the existing government
There can be no doubt that such considera-
lions had great weight with Mr.. Chamberlain
They We're precisely the kind of considerations
which would be sure to have most weight with
him. He did not slight them nor dismiss them
idly. But after weighing them carefully, and
after giving due attention to all phases of the
question, he decided not to accede 10 the de-
The existing Parliament and government of
Cape Colony will be intrusted with the mpor-
tant work of settling up the issues Of the war
and of making South Africa sOlidly and har-
mOnously British. The self-governng colony
will remain self governing; and so Sir J. G.
Sprigg, the Cape Prime Minister, forsales the
conference of colonial Prime Ministers in Lon
don and hastens home to Cape Town TO meet
the Cape Parliament at its opening on August
20 for a session which may well prove to be the
most mOmentOus and important in South Afr-
can history.
In thus deciding Mr.. Chamberlain has done
we'll He has shown that same wise and con-
ciliatOry spirit that was so conspicuous in the
making of peace with the Beers. 1t is probable
that some of the Afrikanders are lacking, in
loyalty and will try to play the part of Far
plots That all of them are such and will try
to do so is simply incredible Harsh measures
such as the suspension of the constitutiOn-for
the first time we believe, in British colonial his
tory-would doubtless embitter them and in
tensify race hatreds. In showing faith in them,
and in trusting them to do some of the most inn
portant work any British Parliament has now
to do, the imperial government will make the
strongest possible bid for their loyalty. 1t viii
be showing that self-government of colonies Is
a reality and not a pretence We may expect
to see this confidence in the Cape Dutch yndi-
Gated by the sequel. There will doubtless be
some hot debates in Parliament. and some
irrecOncilabe spirit will be shown. But the
majority of the Afrikanders will accept the stu
alton and join hands with their brethren of the
two new colonies in making the best of South
Africa for Boer and Briton alike.