The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-02
FERREIRA's FoRLoRN HOPE.
Latest Attempt to Renew the Boer
War of Little Duration.

A dispatch from Cape Town early in
November last announced that band
of Boer irreconcilables had crossed
the frontier Of German South Africa,
where they had taken refuge, attacked
the British post of Upington in Bechu-
analand, killed two mounted police,
wounded two soldiers and captured a
number of guns and some ammunition.
On went the Beers as fast as they
could travel toward the Transvaal.
There were only twenty of them, and
lot of madcaps they were, half
frenzied by the crazy enthusiasm of
their leader, Commandant Ferriera,
who served valiantIy in the Boer war
against England and at its close took
refuge in German Southwest Africa,
declaring that he would never live un-
der the British flag.
Ferreira'S idea was that the Beers
only needed a leader to raise the STAN
dard of revolt and drive the British
out of their country or perish in the
attempt. He firmly believed that as
soon as he reached the Transvaal from
tier and the news spread that Fer
reira himself, whom they knew as a
dashing and a brilliant soldier, had
come to lead them in another struggle
for independence they would flock
to his standard and the British would
find themselves again confronted by a
formidab BILE foe.
1t was a crazy notion. for the Beers
have no arms, no resources whatever
Cnat would make further resistance
even respectable.
Ferreira and his men pushed on
over the half desert land. surprised
another little post, captured a few
more guns. took supplies from a few
British farmers and were getting on
famously. Meanwhile the Cape Colony
authorities were taking energetic mea-
sures. . s-51f
They did not know how sqr. this
plan of revolt might develop, and so a
L. l.
litia Were hastily modified in view of
the possibility of an uprising among
the Dutch in Cape Colony; and In
snector of Police White, with a band
of mounted police, took a train for the
north, then rode across country to
Prieska on the Orange :, river and
started in hot .p1frsuit Of .Ferreira's
little force. H. 30
Ferreira had sent messengers in ad-
vance announcing his coming. They
returned to him. with the most Sdis-
couraging reports The Beers had seen
the horrors~of war and wanted no
more of it.
Still he chung to the desperate hope
that he might rally them around his
standard when he came among them.
On he went, proclaiming himself as
the savior of the Beers of South Africa
OF course his bubble burst. He was
outnumbered by the British. who at
last confronted him. and he and his
men were made prisoners. The re-
volt was of little Importance in com
parison with the recent uprising of the
Zulus. The Ferreira foolishness cost
the lives of no more than a dozen
men -
1t is not known what fate awaits
this man of thirty years, who is now
prisoner in Cape Colony. He has
great many friends and admirers
among the Beers. and perhaps this is
the reason WHY the British have not
been at all DESTROYS to bring his case
to a speedy settlement.
Doubtless many at least admire the
courage of this former commander Of
the artillery in the Boer army, whose
hatred of the British and burning de-
sire to free his, countrymen from the
CALLING yoke moved. him to risk his life
and future upon the desperate chance
of forlorn enterprise.-Washin
Post