New-York tribune., 1908-02-04
ISSUES AT THE CAPE.

The retirement Of Dr. Jameson from the head
| of the government of Cape Colony was not un-
expected. Ever since the dissolution Of Par
Lament last year it has seemed probable that
| the result of the general election would be ad-
verse to the Progressive party and would re
turn the Afrikander Bond to power. There will
be much sincere regret at the realization of that
| expectation which will not be confined to
Dr. Jameson's own party, for his high abilities
as q constructive statesman and administrator
are recognized by political opponents as well
as supporters, and it is very generally con-
ceded that he has done more to heal the wounds
of the Boer war, 10 allay racial antagonisms
and distrust and TO unity the people of Cape
Colony. regardless Of race. tongue or creed
than any other man could probably have done
OF course, he will not be lost to public life but
the leader of strong and patriotic opposi-
ton he Will continue TO exercise profound in
huence upon the progress Of affairs in the
epoch making days which are now Just before
South Africa
Apart from the traditional antagonisms Oh
general principles" between the so-called Brit
ish" party, which is by no means all British
and the Afrikander Bond, which is by no means
all Afrikander-a gonsmS which have in
variably been weakest and least harmful under
the ministry of a Briton such as Cecil Rhodes
Or Leander JameSon-there are three major is
sues in Cape and South African politics which
are likely to come before the new Cape Parlia-
ment for its share in settlement. One of these
is purely local TO Cape COlony-namely the ex-
else DIR. jameson and his party in favor
of retaining that tax which they themselves
imposed in the late Parliament. Mr.. Merriman.
the leader of the Afrikander Bond, who sue
ceeds Or. jameson as Prime Minister has also
declared himself in favor of it. but has been
careful TO explain that that is only his personal
and unofficial attitude and is not to be under
stood binding his party in any way. Mr.
Schrener. on the other hand who rivals Mr.
Merriman in standing as leader of the Bond
emphatically declares himself in favor of the
abolition Of the excise, and the Afrikander
Bond In each of its yearly conventions has of
ficially declared against it. 1t seems probable
therefore. that, Mr.. Merrman's personal predi-
lections to the contrary Notwithstanding the
Bond majority in the new Parliament will aboI-
ish the excise
The second q-lestion is that of the Customs
Union. At present, as there has been for some
years, there is customs union among all the
South African states which give them free
trade among themselves and common tariff
against the rest of the world. But that ar
rangement automatically lapses few weeks
hence and the question OF its renewal Is
highly important one. DIR. Jameson and the
Progressiyes would renew il on substantially
the present terms. Mr.. Merrman. on the con
trary-and il is to be assumed that in this lie
speaks for the whole Bond-whle nominally
favoring q maintenance of the union, insists
that each colony should retain the right of max
Ing its own special tariff without regard TO
the others. II seems pretty certain that in.
sistence upon that right would prevent renewal
of The union. since uniformity of tariffs is a
fundamental principle of such conventions The
third issue, also general to South Africa ia that