The Press. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1899. BLACKS AS SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10480, 19 October 1899, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1899. BLACKS AS SOLDIERS.

The offer of the Zulus to fight for the English against the Boers is interesting as evidence that-.the black races of SouthrAfrica, as was anticipated, are anti-Boer in their sympathies. On the other hand, Sir Alfred Milner was no doubt "wise in advieing the Zulu dhiof to keep his people quiet. The English ought to be able to settle the matter in South Africa -without calling in the native races to their assistance. ; Moreover, the employment of Zulus and Basutos would: ua dangerous there being no telling where the warlike spirit, once infused into a race of semi-savages, would stop. Nevertheless, if at any time a crisis should be reached, when assistance from whatever quarter, in spite of whatever ridss, was desirable, then it is satisfactory, to b» assured that the native races of South Africa would be ready with their support. Nor would the assistance that could thus be rendered be by any means despicable. "I am convinced," wrote Mr. Poulteney Bigeiow, two or three years ago, " that in the event of a serious war in South Africa, England would find from among the Basutas an army i i black volunteers ready to march against any enemy, so long as they were led by white officers who understood their business; and the Basuto before he enters the ranks is a better fighting man than the average European soldier after three years' drilling." And he supports his assertion by ■ pointing out that on enlistment the Basuto is already- an accomplished horseman, an excellent marksman, and skilful at reconnoitring. The idea, of pressing dark races into the service of Europeans for fighting purposes is in modern 'history associated with the name of Dupleix, who. first conceived r«he thought of training the iiative Indian tribes to fight for the French, Ciivo, his successful opponent, adopted his policy; and from that time to this out Indian Empire has been protected in large measure by the native Indian regiments, of course, under English officers. But we have learned to use them witia caution, and to- treat them with consideration- The terrible lesson of the Mutiny will not"soon be forgotten. The result has been that we can Mow rely on the loyal service of many of the bravest Indian peoples. .Whatever we may think of Lord Boaconsfield as a politician and as a man, there can be no doubt that the Imperialism of the present day owes much, to his genius. His "move of the black knight," when he summoned in 1878 an Indian contingent to Malta, marked a distinct step in the growth of the Imperial idea. The spectacle at the recent Jubilee of men of so many different races, so many different climes, marching shoulder to shoulder beneath the same banner, afforded an impressive testimony to the solidarity of the Empire. If the existence of the Empire were ever at stake, it is well to know that not only the wfhite colonists, but. also the black races who have experienced the benefits of English rule, will be ready to stand together in defence of their common interest. But unless in some such grave crisis—which is fortunately, to all appearance, far distant— public opinion will be emphatically with Sir Alfred Milner in his refusal to avail himself of Zulu, or other native' assistance, against the Boers. , .-••■-