The Topeka state journal., 1902-08-20
African Natives Attack Beers
Returning to Their Farms.
They Have Arms and the White
Men Have Not.
KRUGER TO ABDICATE.
Dom Paul Will Turn Over Lead
ership to the Generals.
An Effort to Stop DIR. Leyds From
Signing Checks.

London, Aug 2O.-Mail advices re-
ceived here from Johannesburg Indicate
that the negro problem is growing more
acute and is causing the authorities in
finite worry. To quote the words OF one
of the foremost South African authori-
ties: ION the question of the natives
depends the whole future OF the rev
colonies-whether the Beers will loyal
ly accept British rule or continue in a
state of sullen resentment. Among the
immediate dangers native attacks on
Beers returning TO their farms ana at
tempts of natives to assault White Wo-
men are threatening to lead to serious
conflicts between Beers and blacks. I'm
der the old regime the crude but sim
pie retribution for assaults on women
was shooting on sight. Now, however.
there is no legislation on the subject
and the English authorities are hesltat-
ing to enact laws until all the parties
concerned can voice their opinions The
hesitancy to deal summar1ly with lhe
natives is causing both Beers and Al
rikanders intense irritation and encour-
ages the blacks to truculent effrontery.
Another phase of the problem is the
unWillingness of the blacks to forego
their lazy existence in the concentra-
ton camps where thousands were gath
cred during the war and far more ser
ious is the fact that a great number or
blacks in the country have managed to
secure arms. There is. therefore the
anomalous situation of unarmed whites
on outlying farms. Experienced British
colonialS strongly favor universal dis
arming of the natives and prompt leg
islation, making assaults on women a
capital OffeHSe.
The correspondent of the Daily Mail
at The Hague telegraphS that he is in
formed that at the approaching meeting
between General Botha and his col
leagues and his former president. Kru-
ger the latter will formally abdicate
nnCitiOn a. Afri1S9n6pr chief and
hand over the reins and the residue of
funds to General BOtha and General
DeWet and Messrs. Fischer and VOL
marans, who were formerly Boer dele
gates Mr.. Wolmarans, according to the
correspondents information will en-
deavor to dispossess DR.. Leyds. the
European agent of the Boers of the
power of signing checks.
There are also rumors here. adds the
correspondent of the Daily Mail. of an
impending struggle for supremacy be-
tween General Botha and General De-
Wet.
HONORS AT THE HAGUE.
The Hague, Aug. 2O.-The space in
front of the hotel where apartments
had been secured for the Boer generals
was closely packed with people before
their arrival Shouts of Long live the
Beers" greeted the South African COM
manders when they appeared, and then
the crowd sang the Transvaal national
anthem, whereupon the generals barred
their heads and waved their hats in ac-
Acknowledgement of the enthusiastic well
come accorded them. Subsequently a
reception was held in the drawing room.
former state secretary of the Transvaal
Reitz and DR.. Leyds, following the
Beers, introducing the local celebrities
to the Beers.
In the course of a speech General
Botha declared that he and his col
leagues had not come to hold festivities,
but the cordiality of their reception was
some recompense for the great sorrow
they had experienced
I'VE are deputies" said the Boer COM
mandant general, "of one of the most
ruined pcople-ruined only because we
have done out duty and defended our
liberty and independence for which no
sacrifice could be too great"
The Boer generals are expected to
visit former President Kruger al
Utrecht and will probably remain there
until August 81.
The generals have requested the mem
berS of prO-Boer associations to refrain
from making anti-British speeches
which, the Boer commanders say, may
possibly impair the success of their mis-
sion to Great Britain. During the day
the Boer generals visited former Presi-
dent Steyn.
The generals also attended the pro-
Boer exhibition which is being held
here. Responding to the welcome they
received at the exhibition building Gen
era1 Dewet in a voice broken with emo
tion, said:
ton of art and industry have contrib
uted to the growth of nations. We South
Africans were on the road to the depart
ment of art and industry, but our legs
were cut from under us; consequently