SEPTEMBER FIFTEENTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11745, 29 August 1901, Page 4

SEPTEMBER FIFTEENTH.

The Boer leaders refuse to surrender by Septembei 15, and announce their determination to continue hostilities. In the light of the revelations made by the correspondence captured trom Steyn, it is evident that the Transvaalers are now being unwillingly held at fighting pitch by the pressure of the irreconcilable Free Staters. This is poetic justice since it was the Transvaal thatdragged its neighbour into war, and since prolongation of the struggle can have no further effect than to still further ruin and devastate the annexed colonies. Mr. Kruger, snugly ensconced in Holland, declares himself 1 tiling to conclude peace on a "give-and-take" basis, and swears that there was no conspiracy against Great Britain. But since in the' same breath he declares the Boers to be still regularly governed and

! systematically led—in the face oi the i so-called " Transvaal Government's" 1 captured despatch, which bewailed ! the contrarywe cannot attach any great value to M:. Ringer's assertions. In reference to Mr. Kruger's | position it is somewhat strange that j if he is still the head of a duly con- | stituted State, he should be allowed ] to make his headquarters in neutral ' territory, and to direct operations ! against us from a friendly capital. ! The Boer decision, doubtless influenced by his persuasions and pre- | tensions, to continue the hopeless struggle, may make the war drag on for another season. For the spring is coming, the grass is growing, the ; nights are getting warmer, and many ; natural advantages thereby accrue 'to the hardy veldtsmen. It is true ! that surrenders are increasing, and, | if the news from Middelburg is sub- | stantiated, we may hope for a great | influx into the refugee-camps during | the next fortnight. But even though ' only 5000 men should remain in the field, they can do great damage and | delay the resumption of peaceful industry. The question which the Imperial Government should consider is whether such undue resistance is sufficiently met by the banishment, of leaders and the charging of camp-expenses upon the property of the irreconcilables. We are certain that the universal colonial opinion is that still more ' drastic measures are called for. These guerillas aie in arms against the civilisation itself, are acting in such a way as to place themselves outside the pale ot international law. That we should keep then landed property intact for them, subject only to the few pounds spent on the re-fugee-camps, until they see fit to throw down their arms and re-enter into possession is absurd. The land of every man who persists in continuing s murderous because hopeless resistance should be confiscated. He has now the opportunity 01 surrendering and saving it. If he scouts the opportunity it is time more drastic measiues were taken with him. For the one thing which the irreconcilable Boer cannot yet understand is the amazing toleration and moderation of our terms. He thinks that our pro-Boei traitors voice the real feeling of the nation, and interprets every liberal offer as a coniession of Imperial weakness.