West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1901 THE RAID OF THE BOERS.

West Coast Times, Issue 11806, 23 January 1901, Page 2

West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1901 THE RAID OF THE BOERS.

It is very difficult to arrive at a satisfactory solution oi the problem presented by the raid of the Boer commandos into Cape Colony. The puzzle is to find out what their object, or their motive is. Had it been done 12 or 15 months ago we •would have recognised its wisdom ; in fact wo pointed out, at the time, that it wouU confer enormous advantages on tho Boer forces, and indefinitely retard the British advance" ; that instead of making De Aar thoir base, as our people were enabled to do, they would have been compelled to start from Capetown. However, that is all past? and gone. They missed their opportunity, wasted time sitting down before places they wer« afraid to take by assault, and finally the British got their forces together, pushed on their advance, ami finally gained possession of all the main lines of communication, breaking the Boer forces up into predatory bunds scattered throughout the country. Comparatively quiet during 1 the winter, they have sprung into activity during the spring and summer, their principal movements being a series of raids into Cape Colony. Some of our contemporaries style these raids " The Boor Invasion," but this terms infers an importance to the operations which wo do not Hunk they possess. The marauding bands which cover so hirgi* :in area of British territory and skilfully oluds all attempts at capture can only expect to accomplish three objects: — llarrass tlits British tear and cut their couunuuici*tious ; incite the disaffected amongst the Cape Dutch to join ; and supplement

their supplies by levying upon all farmers and storekeepers they encounter in their route. There is no invasion, because they have no prospect of holding any area of country, any one position. Dr Jamieson's expedition was practically an invasion, although always termed a raid, because aimed at establishing itself in " the country and assisting in bringing about some permanent political changes, ia which it would take a part . The bands of marauding Boers now in Cape Colony can have no euch thought, no such object. Their occupation of any one portion of the country is but temporary, lasting no longer than the period necessary for the British to gather forces and drive them out. They may hope to cause a withdrawal of the British troops from the Transvaal so as to deal with them in the Colony, but very few of the leaders should be so fatuous as to expect [ such a contingency. What the British have gob they will hold, so long as they are able to hold it, and we may rest assured that Messrs De Wet, De La Rey and Company will not be able to remove ' them. On one account we regard this raid into Cape Colony with satisfaction. Tho inflammatory speeches and incendiary attitude of many of those present at the recent Afrikander Bond Congress probably caused the thought that the entry into Cape Colony would cause thousands of Cape Dutch to rise and assist those of their countrymen who lived Dorth, of the Orange. The entry was made but the rising did not take place. The Transvaalers have been misled by their kinsfolk and they have retaliated by plundering them of horses, cattle and supplies. The raid will be an expensive experience for the Cape Dutch, and they will scarcely be so likely, in the future, to ally themselves their spoilers. It will also serve to teach them the folly of further struggle against Britain. The Transvaalers, in their turn, will experience the benefit of many instructive incidents. Their dreams of a Dutch South Africa will have received another blow and the hopelessuess of their position be again forced upon them. The raid is teaching some sharp lessons but they were wanted.