OPEN SEDITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2394, 18 January 1900, Page 8

OPEN SEDITION.

On December 5 a representative of the Cape Times had an interesting conversation with Mr John Cooke, a resident of Venterstad, who had just arrived in Capetown from that district, which he left under a permit on Monday week. Mr Cooke states 'that Venterstad was occupied by a small force of about 25 Free Staters, who -were received with open arms by the residents. The whole district rose practically to a man, and went over to the Free Staters of their own free will, many of them without waiting to be commandeered. All the most influential farmers of the district offered their services (which were, of course, accepted), and constituted themselves a " Commandeering Committee." Those loyal or more, pendent British subjects who preferred to take no part in this open sedition, were given seveii days to clear out of the district. " God is our guide " was being said on every side, and the Boers and their rebel assistants weie talking in tones of absolute conviction of marching straight through to Capetown. Such of ijhe residents who refused to be commandeered were instructed to proceed at once to Capetown and prepare coffee for the advancing Boer hosts. This was being said, be it noted, in no spirit of braggadoceio, but in dead earnest, everyone thoroughly believing • that the British forces would be driven steadily back before the enemy on to Capetown. As to the actual numbers of the colonists who have seceded, Mr Cooke estimates them at a low estimate at 2300. " Practically you can say that the whole district has turned Boer to a man." . General Buller's declaration produced very little effect, according to Mr Cooke. The people wanted something more tangible than a promise, and when the Boer commandant declared Venterstad Free State territory* they" took him at his word, and thoroughly believed that they were henceforth Free State subjects. The new Landdrost, or " Resident Vrederechter," of Venterstad, "under Free State '"rule," is P. J. Viljoen, lately a scab inspector in the employ of the Colonial Government.