SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 17

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Capetown, April 21. Mr Rhodes has returned from Eogland. Replying to an address of welcome presented by the South African League, he said he intended to fight in a constitutional manner for equal rights for all races south of the Zambesi. The Royal Commission appointed by the Government of Cape Colony to itquire into the question of defence have presented their report, weigh recommends the division of the colony into five military district?, the raising of a partially-paid semi-permanent force of 11,000 men, compulsory military service on the part of all the male population between the ages of 18 and 60, a large increase in the garrisonp, the additional supply of heavy guns, and the formation of a reserve of 2000 burghers. April 22. The South African squadron, which recently visited Durbar, has arrived at Dalagoa Bay. April 23. A deputation of 1500 delegates, representing the trades unions of Capetown, marched in procession to Grootschur, the residence of Mr Cecil Rhodes, near Capetown, and presented him with addresses of welcome on his return from England. The presentation ■was marked with great enthusiasm. Mr Rhodes, in the course of hiB repiy, advised that the party of progress should aim at the free intercourse of trade throughout the whole of South Africa. April 24 In the Legislative Assembly the Premier (Sir J. G. Sprigs), referring to Mr Dutiot's motion with reference to the Transvaal impressing the necessity for moderation, mutual toleration, and the faithful observance of treaties, insisted that it was essential to maintain the Transvaal convention He did not believe that war with the Transvaal was probable, but if it did come the Transvaal would be responsible. Building forts and importing war material was not the way to secure peace. The debate on the motion was adjourned. The Legislative Council adopted a resolution similar to Mr Datiot.'s. Pretoria, April 20. The suggestion having been made to President Kruger that Davies and Sampson, two of the reform agitators imprisoned in Pretoria Gaol, should be liberated as a Jubilee offering in connection with the Queen's Record Rugn. President Krnger replied that unless the fines imposed on them v/ere paid an additional year would be added to their sentences, Berlin. April 19. Dr Leyds has arrived in Berlin. He declares that the situation in South Africa is very critical.

(Per Mail Steamer at Auckland.) The London Daily Mail cf April 3 prints a despatch from Capetown oaying it is reporbed that Dalagoa Bay has been leas< d to Great Britain for 30 yens at an annual rental of £500,000, and ihat the Transvaal Government ■were not made aware of the arrangement; till completed. A great sensation was caused in Pretoria on April 2 by the report of impending naval demonstrations by thi> Cape and West African squadrons in Delagoa Bay.