Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-09
AS TO SOUTH AFRICA
Pronuncements Subject OF Po-
IiticaI Controversy.

portant subject of political controversy at
the present time has been Mr.. Winston
Churchills recent pronouncements In re-
gard to South Africa 1t is feared by the
liberal leaders that there Is trouble ahead
for the party. not only In South Africa, but
In England as well. MIR. Chamberlain IN q
recent Interview said:
when Mr.. Winston Churchill first be-
came under secretary of state for the col
onies he explained to interested world
that he had accepted this humble post
because 1t would give him an opportunity
of keeping an eye upon Mr.. Chamberlain
thus implying that the opportunity Of criti-
cising political opponent was more i'm
portant In his eyes than a share In the
government of the British empire. / as
sumo that this self-imposed mission &C
counts for his position recently
II am not concerned with Mr.. Churchill
in his new character as a political Mr.. Tur-
verdrop and professor of parliamentary de-
pertinent, but do think 1t is worth while
to point out that the position of the oppo-
sltion IN, this matter is not so inconsistent
as Mr.. Churchill supposes.
Our view Is that in present conditions no
necessity exists for imperial interference,
and that the question of Chinese labor Is
one that may properly be left to the free
and unfettered discretion of the responsible
government which is to be ultimately estaD-
lshed In the Transvaal.
Charge Of Slavery.
1.-THE charge of slavery has been with
drawn and members of his majesty's gov
eminent have so little faith in the accusa-
lions made during the election to which
they owe their abnormal majority that they
refuse absolutely to institute that impartial
and judicial inquiry into the facts which
has been asked for by the opposition and by
the representative of the mining industry.
Some of them, however. while shrinking
from investigation. strive to satisfy their
extreme supporters by declaring the system
now in operation to be repugnant to moral
ity, and 1t has accordingly become neces,.
sary for the opposition to point out that
these pharisaical utterances like the gross
er charges made during the election, are the
merest hypocrisy, since if they were sim
cerely put forward IL would be the duty OF
the government, while they are still direct
ly responsible for the government OF the
Transvaal, and at whatever cost In the way
of compensation or otherwise, to take i'm
mediate steps to bring an immoral policy to
q close.
His majesty's government, however, first
decided to allow IT to go as long as the
power to stop it was In their own hands,
but to throw the ultimate responsibility or
continuing cor or abolishing i upon the new
latest imitation of the decision Of plate
was unacceptable to the pistail section OF
their party, they have now announced that
ment to decide against the immigration or
Asiatics. they will actively intervene to
override their decision if It should prove to
be in favor OF the existing system"
The eensorious attitude which the under
secretary for the colonies has assumed
concerning Lord Miner and the corporal
punishment Of Chinese coolies has recalled
the conduct of the under secretary in the
notorious case of Raging" In the 18th Hus-
saFs.
Ten years ago he was concerned In as
gross piece Of persecution as can be
imagined, and reference to the columns of
Labouchere's Truth throws an interesting
side light on the ideas upon the brother
hood OF man" entertained by the under sec
rotary.
Cruel Boycotting.
Two young officers OF the 4th Hussars
were driven from the regiment owing to
the gross conduct and cruel boycottfnS or
their fellows. In one case. the second
which provoked so much Indignation the
under secretary played the part of spokes-
man.
Before certain Mr. Bruce Joined the
Hussars he received an invitation from one
OF the subalternS of the regiment to dine
at the Nimrod Club. The under secretary.
who had been a contemporary OF Mr.
Bruce's at Sandhurst was among the COM
pany.
ION the conclusion of the dinner" to
quote from Truth. IAN incident of an ex-
traordinary nature took place. Acting ap-
parent1y as spokesman of the Junior officers
OF the regiment Mr.. Spencer Churchill in
formed Mr.. Bruce, almost In SO many
words. that he had been invited to dinner
wanted in the regiment
he was asked what his allowance was
to be, and In reply he stated the amount
nthfs allowance he could not 30 the mace
OF the regiment
"A subaltern named Hodge had Just left
the regiment under circumstances which
have also been brought to the attention OF
the war office. and Mr.. Bruce was APP
pointed to the vacancy thus created The
select gang who We're entertaining Mr.
Bruce alluded In significant terms to the
fate of the departed Hodge They intimated
that they had got rid Of Bruce too add
ing that IL the latter gentleman did not
make graceful exit now he would proba-
bly, make a disgraceful one before very
long"
An Undisguised Conspiracy.
Mr.. Bruce refused to be brow beaten by
the future under secretary and the re-
mainder of the gang" and, according to
Truth. IAN undisguised conspiracy" was
formed against him, and within a few
months he had to send In his papers
In regard to the other case two SUBJ
alterns whose identity has never been re-
vealed dragged Mr.. Hodge from his bed
at am, and after he had been oyerpow-
cred by sheer force of numbers he was
pushed into a horse trough. partitioned
with iron bars, dragged through to the
end and then hauled out wet bruised and
bleeding, and carried back to his room.
This outrage was repeated without any
variation the next night. but subsequently
representations to the adjutant prevented
any further personal violence.
Then more refined modes of torture were
invented. Mr.. Hodge was exposed to a
'remorseless boycott by the gang" OF
which the under secretary was such com
SDicnOuS member This had affact
even than the physical I'll treatment: the
young officer gave up the struggle in de-
spair; "a complete wreck and weil-nigh
broken-hearted," he sent in his papers and
dam Cd fnr ffa nnIniniee