THE SITUATION IN THE TRANSVAAL.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 8918, 15 June 1897, Page 1

THE SITUATION IN THE TRANSVAAL.

From an interesting article by a sptoial correspondent publiohed io the Times of April 23rd we mike the following extract : A curious anomaly io tbe situation is thtt the British subjects in the Transra%l consider they may justly demand assist* ance from the Bcl'ish Government to enable thtm to become independent Republicans. Bat, if this may be considered a too excessive demand, they have, at any rate, the right to expect: that England will see that the Botrs will faithfully carry oat their engagements. The Boer* for years have shown an inclination to whittle away the London Convention — the pre* sent Convention, it will be remembered, having already beenjlargely modified from the original. And England has a special right to Insist that her subjects, while they remain her subject, should be treated with oommon fairness, if ohe cinnot expeot for them the liberality wi'h which she treats the subjeots of other countries in her own colonies. The Boers will not alluw that they owe England any debt of gratitude for saving them from tofcil disintegration 20 years ago, when they had only 12s 6d left In their treasury, because England ao mismanaged them afterwards when she took over tha country. Bat they mast admit 'hat while they themselves have borne, perhaps, the greater share in clearing the country and rendering it secure for settlement, the British also have taken do small part, for j if was the British array which defeated S Icnkuni, and it was a British army which broke the power of the Za'us Gra'uude is not to be expected between nations, bub each has to fee th<t ir i-< ns< d «i h justice by the other. When England res . red the Transvaal to the Boers ohe BtipuUtpd for fair treatment to her subject. That stipulation has bare'y been fulfilled in the Ittrer, much less in the spirit ; »nd there are farther good grounds for believing that attempts to secure an alliance with Garminy as a counterpoise to British influence have been made, while it is certain that for nnny years past Germany has been endeavoring to establish a footing and spread her influence in South Africa. England, as the power responsible for the peace of by f»r the greater portion of South Africa — of countries populated by as many Dutchmen as Englishmen — cannot afford to see her subjects in the Transvaal created in such a manner as would caoee disaffection likely to spread to racial strife throughout South Africa. Still leas can she afford to see another European Power settling as a rival there. Neither, therefore, could the Transvaal be allowed to extend its territories towards the coast beyond the limits carefully defined in the Convention which restored tha country to tbe Boera ; nor conld the Germans be permitted to gain the footing they are believed to be sseking in De)»goa Bay. This much England in her own Interests has need to look after. She must keep at a distance all rivals to the suprptmcy she has fought and worked for in South Afrlc«, and she meet see to f *r as is possible that no f*vor is shown to others over hfr own subj -ata, Piovided she does this — provided she sees her subjects h*ve f*lr play— the Inlanders in the Transvaal may well be left to work oat their own salvation in their own way. The British portion need expect no encouragement from the Boers, and they may Indeed expect that the Government, In any quiet way ib oan, will favor Germans, French and Hollanders, with the object of lssoening the preponderance of British influence and of driving away British capital to see it replaced by Germans and French. But British investors, manufacturers, and settlers will always remember the Immense future possibilities of the country and persevere in their work of developing its wonderful resources. And every Earopean nation equally with England should be interested in seeing that no unnecessary hindranoe is placed in the way of Us development, and should bring all the force of public opinion to j bear npon the Boers to make them realise j th»fc at this stage of the world's history a | mere handful of men cannot be permitted to obstruct the progress of a country so v*ln»ble to overcrowded Europe as is the Transvaal. The eventual product of this development is likely to be a Sta'e the majority of whose Inhabitants will be British by birth but Repuh'icm in their ideas and Inclinations. Whecher this, tho most rich and populous of the Sou'h African States of the fatare, will preponderate over the rest will depend upon whether the Transvail or Gre*t Britain controls tho outlet tp the sea.