The Hastings Standard Published Daily. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1897. THE TRANSVAAL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 262, 4 March 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1897. THE TRANSVAAL.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

" A ,threat feeling of unrest prevails throughout the Transvaal," .such is the tenor of the latest cable message, and President Kniger admits that dark clouds were gathering over the Trans■saal. Beyond the mere suggestions of impending disaster, the cables arc silent, and we are left to guess at the underlying mischief. The trouble between the judicature and the Yolksraad referred to a few days ago could not be" the cause of the trouble, least of all do we fancy that it has anything to do with the feeling of unrest which* pervades the Transvaal. The real trouble is without doubt the harsh and irritating treatment to which the I'itlanders are .subjected bv the (.iovernment of President Krnger. It is due to the energy, enterprise, and money of the I'itlanders that the South African Republic has been elt\Ht i m:o a prosperous s t iv tnd vi th i. who have been it< trinnntal in developing tlu* resources of the e< un is n ■ the special objii.'- of I>oer antipuhy. And so far ikies this hatred tvhi 1, that the Ciovernment do not In to impede and obstruct in every possible manner tha verv industry that hivs proved so |»rotit»bie to tlie liutduuvQ.

The British are particularly detested, and there is too much reason to believe that the Boers are under the impression that they can repeat the performance of MajubaHill again. From their somewhat arrogant behaviour recently, and their persistent efforts to stir up strife it is manifest that not only do they believe that they can give the English a sound beating, but they are anxious to immediately test their ability. The South African Republic has spent within the past few months an enormous amount of money in war material, and has cultivated friendship with Germany, and has in other ways prepared itself for the inevitable. Dark clouds are gathering over the Transvaal, and the bursting of the storm cannot long be delayed. When the time arrives for action the Boers will discover to their cost that the roawil'K do know something about fighting. The Transvaal question will never be properly settled until the Boers are made to understand by the special logic of Tommy Atkins, that contracts with England must be respected.