Hawke'S Bay Herald. FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 1899. THE DECLARATION OF WAR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11355, 13 October 1899, Page 2

Hawke'S Bay Herald. FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 1899. THE DECLARATION OF WAR.

Afteb unparalleled tension, and hopes and fears for peace, decisive news comes to hand from the Transvaal. • There is now no possible doubt whatever that a struggle must ensue between Boer and Britisher, and at any moment we may have news o£ active hostilities. It is quite evident that the Boers intend to precipitate matters beEore the British can increase their forces in South Africa. Every day that passes decreases their chances, and President Kruger, as we have been informed, has bad the utmost difficulty in keeping tho Boers in check up to the present stage, till they get the word to cross the frontier. We may ex- , pect a simultaneous attack on_ the east and west. The Boers are thirsting for war, but it is safe to predict i that their ardour will be cooled to a | considerable extent after a month's . active hostilities. That peace could not be maintained even at the eleventh hour is to be deplored The cost in blood and coin of such a contest aB must ensue wil! be indeed. But the question must now be decided once and for all which race, British or Dutch, is destined to rule in subcontinental Africa. As to the result there can be no doubt But it \ will be a bitter struggle, the effects i of which will not be dissipated for a long period. Ultimately, however, there is little doubt that tbe population of South Africa will be under one flag, and the races will merge into one distinct people with one destiny. j Mr Schreiner's position is an anomalous one. His action in regard to affairs in the Transvaal have tended to a considerable- extent to ■ bring about this struggle. Had he, as Premier of the chief colony io i , South Africa, adopted a more con- j eiliatory tone, and used hiß great] influence with the Boers to urge them to a more reasonable view of the situation, negotiations might have ■ resulted which would have brought '. about a peaceful solution "of the ! difficulty. As it is, his action has ■, inflamed the war spirit of the Dutch .Republics, and he has lent • them every assistance towards that end. At any rate his fall from office is certain now that the event \ which he apparently desired has been brought about. There can be only one explanation of bis extra- ' ordinary attitude. He knows that tbe end of the war will be to mike South Africa British or Dutch. He. though a subject of tbe Queen, and a Premier of a British colony, has done his best to give the Boers the power of attack and to withhold from the British the power to even defend themselves against attack. He hopes that the Boers will win, that South Africa will become one huge Dutch Republic, or a confederation of .Republics, with W. P. Schriener at the head. His hopes will be disappointed. If he does not find bis neck dislocated at the hands of the hangman he may regard himself as the most fortunate of men in being a subject of Queen Victoria.