"CLIMBING DOWN."

Hastings Standard, Issue 320, 12 May 1897, Page 2

"CLIMBING DOWN."

The repeal of the Alien Immigration Law by the Volksraad of the South African Republic may be taken as an indication that " Oom Paul" is disposed to climb down from his war horse. However pacific in his intentions Mr Kruger may be, he would not, we think, be allowed much scope for securing peace. The temper of the Boers is at a high pitch, and in their blind ignorance they fancy they can drive the British out of their country—indeed out of South Africa altogether. The celerity with which the objectionable Aliens Law has been repealed is a cause for suspicion. The duplicity of the Scripture-quoting, coffee-imbibing Boers is illimitable, and if he has given a concession with the right hand he will take it away with the left. It is significant that with the step taken towards maintaining the peace the Boers should also make a warlike move in engaging the services of a German officer as military instructor. Whatever the Boers may have in contemplation they must feel sure by this time that Her Majesty's Government is determined that the London Convention of 1894 shall be kept inviolate. Although the tension between Pretoria and Downing Street has been greatly relieved by the action of the Volksraad, the position is still far from satisfactory, and the game of the Boers may be to in some way force Great Britain to begin hostilities.