The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1900. PUNISHMENT OF REBELS.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9614, 17 April 1900, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1900. PUNISHMENT OF REBELS.

Everyone will agree that the sooner the rebellion in South Africa is crushed the better will it be for both Dutch and British settlers. From the leniency shown by Lord Roberts, after the capitulation of Bloemfontein, there appeared reason to doubt if a. mild policy were a. wise one to pur;suel at such a 1 very early stage of the campaign. There now appears good reason for the adoption of that policy, as, prior to- the arrival of remounts fori his cavalry, the British comman-der-in-Chief was placed at a disadvantage, and H< was therefore more necessary to exercise tact and judgment in his treatment of the rebels. But Lord Roberts is not to be trifled with, and, now that the cavalry are remounted and ready for service again, we may expect that the treatment of rebellious Dutchmen and foresworn Free Staters who have resumed their weapons alter surrendering will be severe, but not more so than 'the circumstances of the individual cases appear to demand. A court-martial was recently held at Naawpoort, asi a result of which two rebel Afrikanders were sentenced to terms of five* and ten years' imprisonment) respectively. The sentences imposed by the court were fully approved by Lord Roberts. The delinquents may consider themselves fortunate that they escaped so lightly, as rebels) proved to have been guilty of treason in India were dealt with in a far less merciful manner. Our readiera may remember 1 that on one occasion Lord. Roberts struck terror into the minds of the rebels, by having some of ,the worst traitors blown ffrom the mouths of the cannon. It is to be hoped tha,t less drastic measures will be found sufficient to deter the Dutch from rising in rebellion in the Cap© in those districts where the rebel flag has so far not been hoisted. Until the condition of affairs has quietened down leniency in the treatment of rebels would be sure to produce undesirable results.