DISLOYALTY IN THE CAPE.

Thames Star, Volume XXXX, Issue 10449, 22 September 1902, Page 2

DISLOYALTY IN THE CAPE.

There is at present before the Cap© Parliament a proposal to whitewash, all 'Cape Colony rebels, and) reimburse them for their losses. In supporting the proposal Mr Merriniani made a violent attack .on Lord Milner. The Governor-General appears to be the bet© noire of the Boers and their sup•portersi. He is the. black beast, that in the future will be in the mouth's of nurses to frighten the crildren. He , is the man! who prevented) the Boers gaining their independence, and according to Mr Merriman he recom- • mended the suspension! of the Con- ■ stitutioni of ther Cape, and the deprii vationt of their liberties. Had liis advice; beent taken, the poor rebels would have had no parliament to pass acts to whitewash, tbteni, and pay themi for the losses they sustained by their rebellious actions. How much . longer are the loyalists of the Cape , andi their representatives in Parliament to be bearded by men. openly recognising and approving of rebellion? How much longer fs Mr Chamberlain and England going to stand a Parliament passing indemnity acts, granting compensation for war losses, question ing fhta legality of martial tribunals, and in every way creating discontent in Cape Colony, and preparing the

way for another war? The following is the letter written by Lord Milner to the Governor of Cape Colony, Sir Hely Hutchinson, and which has given such much, offence; to Mr Merriman. and hisi followers:—"Speaking unofficially, and, as to"* old friends,' 'hie wi'ote, "I may say that I entirely sympathise wiith theirj (the petitioners') desire to preserve the colony from the disastrous consequences which' axe likely to result from the resumption of Parliamentary and party strife before the bitter 'passions 'excited by the war have had even a little time to subside. It is impossible for me to forget what happened two years ago, when heated Parliamentary debates and a violentti agitation throughout the country, following immediately upon the suppression! of the first rebellion, were mi their turn followed by a second, rebellion, more widespread, more protracted, and more ruinous than the former one. With that experience in my mind, I should sympathise with the petitioners, even if the Cape Colony "were alone concerned." That Lord Milner was right whenl he recommended the! suspension of the Constitution, isi amply .proved! by the contumacious! acts and language of the ProBoer members of thie Cape Parliament. The Boer party has captured the Premier of the colony, Sir Gordon 'Sprigg, he who a* one time was the most Imperialistic of Colonial Premiers, who advocated the presentation! of a ship of war to tEe British Navy, but who is now 'hand; and glove with Mr Merriman:, and by Ma sanction permits the introduction of measures in Parliament calculated to undermine British authority- in Cape Colony. It is just possible the loyalists of Cape Colony will be the next rebels England will have to deal with, for goaded to desperrafcion by the over-bearing attitude of the Pro-Boers, they may be roused to defend themselves, their liberties, and their possessions, if England will not or cannot protect them. Are they to be taxed to pay compensation fo'i'men who fought against them, who aided in; every way the enemies of tire Empire, who ravaged and destroyed their property, and are now condoning such offences by acts of Parliament. Less provocation has caused men to commence a civil war. and we may yet j se'e^ in! Cape Colony a worse state of society than in the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies. It may noit, yet be too late for Mr 'Chamberlain to accept Lord Milner's advice, and face a difficulty at once that must be faced first or last 1, for the more concessions fhiati are granted rebels, and the aiders, ab"ettors, and supporters of rebels, the more 1 weapons are'beinlg placed in the hands of such' men for future resistance.