Leading Points in South African History

-- 23.-Announced that Col. Plumer's force, being attacked by Boers in greatly superior numbers, retired from Lobatsi on March 16, and was at Crocodile Pools on the 19th.

24. (a) The Colonies and the war.-The fourth New Zealand contingent, numbering 440 men (picked from 1,000 who offered), leaves Otago for South Africa. The whole community, numbering about 80,000 people, witness the departure. The procession of volunteers and citizens is fully two miles long. Fifteen hundred children sing patriotic songs, and the display of enthusiasm is most demonstrative. In his speech on the occasion Lord Ranfurly, Governor of New Zealand, spoke of the crisis through which the Empire had just passed as having displayed the unanimity of the AngloSaxon people. To the consternation of their opponents the reverses had but given them occasion to display the splendid qualities of their troops, officers, and men. (b).-Death of Major-Gen. Sir E. Woodgate from the effects of wounds received at Spion Kop.

-- 25. India's contribution to the war.-An official report issued at Calcutta shows that India's contributions to the war have been as follows:-8,000 officers and men, 3,000 natives for non-combatant services, 6,700 horses, 1,600 mules and ponies, 100,000 warm coats, 40,000 haversacks, 5,000 spurs, 40,000 suits of khaki, 45,000 helmets, 70,000 pairs of boots, 2,650 sets of mounted infantry saddlery, 460 muleteers and artificers, and 2,000 water-carriers. A further 2,650 horses for the mounted infantry have been provided by the native cavalry and Imperial Service regiments.

27. (a) Boer losses during the war.-A Times telegram from Capetown says trustworthy informants. agree that the Boers have lost about 2,000 killed in action since the outbreak of the war, and that, adding wounded, sick, and prisoners, their total loss must exceed 15,000.

(b) Sir George White on the war.-Sir George White, en route for England, is presented at Capetown with an address by the Mayor and Corporation. In his reply he says:

"As the enemy closed round Ladysmith I determined to try to beat them in the open at Lombard's Kop. I thought I had located the enemy's position, but I had always been hampered by the splendid system of Boer intelligence. I could not move a gun at midnight without the enemy's knowing it before daybreak. I took all responsibility for the disaster at Nicholson's Nek. Afterwards I felt the responsibility for Natal behind me, Ladysmith being the shield to protect her. I hoped to uphold the shield long enough to enable the sleepy giant John Bull to wake up and have his own. I am proud to acknowledge the help of the Naval Brigade. Jack came in the nick of time, as he generally does. During the attack on Cæsar's Camp a remote corner was held by 16 men of the Manchester Regiment, who fought from three in the morning until dusk, when the Devonshires reinforced them. Fourteen of the little band lay dead, and of the two survivors one was wounded, but they still held their position. On the same day the sergeant of one of the guns had one leg and one arm shot off. As he fell across the trail of the gun he said, 'Roll me out of the way. Go on working the gun.' England, that little dot on the map, always comes out best in the end. That little England, the heart of the whole Empire, so brave and strong, sent her lifeblood into the furthest corner of the Empire and appears before the world an unconquerable whole. The dark hours are past. I

glory in being a lieutenant of Lord Roberts, who is England's greatest soldier and possesses the heart of the whole nation."

(c). Gen. Clements occupies Fauresmith.

28 (a).—Death of Gen. Joubert from peritonitis. (b). Messages from Mafeking suggest that the garrison has been able to secure new sources of food supply.

29. (a) Delagoa Bay Arbitration. - Award of Delagoa Bay Railway Arbitration Tribunal published. [For history of question, see 1889, June 29.] The award, which is unanimous, orders Portugal to pay to the United States of America and Great Britain, in addition to the £28,000 sterling paid to them on account in 1890, the sum, in Swiss currency, of 15,314,000 francs (equivalent to £612,560), with interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum from June 25, 1889 to the day of payment. The total amount to be paid over represents close on £950,000.

(b). Owing to activity of enemy near Bloemfontein, and their hostile action towards burghers who have surrendered, Lord Roberts attacks and drives them from some kopjes south of Brandfort. British loss: 2 officers killed, 8 wounded; 10 (? 19) rank and file killed, 159 wounded, 3 missing.

30. Cape views on the final settlement. Enthusiastic meeting of the constituents of Mr. RoseInnes, at Claremont, passes a resolution in support of the refusal of Her Majesty's Government to allow the maintenance of the independence of the Republics, and urging their incorporation in the dominions of the

Queen. [Mr. Rose-Innes said the agitation which was on foot to secure the retention of their independence by the Republics had compelled many who would otherwise remain silent to speak out. The resolution meant that two flags which had been wont to fly in South Africa in the past should fly there no more. It meant, also, that the two States would cease to exist. The British would be charged with having made war to take those territories, but it was absolutely false, as shown by the complete unpreparedness with which Great Britain embarked on the war. Nobody wanted another such war, and therefore he and those who thought with him said, "Give us peace, in Heaven's name, after a settlement, but make no settlement not calculated to secure permanent peace." It was useless to attempt to piece together china broken in ten thousand fragments. What the Transvaal Boer meant by independence was the continued domination of the ruling caste. No independence could be given which would not be a sham, and which would not afford the Republics an opportunity to arm again and menace once more the peace of South Africa. The lines that worked before the war were now impossible and impracticable. The British flag must fly over the Republics, and these must first be brought under direct British rule, the fullest possible measure of selfgovernment being afterwards granted on Colonial lines. In Canada perfect loyalty had, in spite of past rebellion, been secured by free institutions. Let them hope that the same results would follow the adoption of a like course in South Africa.]

INDEX

Afrikander movement :

Afrikander Bond: Aims of originators

A proposed Afrikander Republic

Afrikander Ministry at the Cape

"Joy and satisfaction": Transvaal "reasonable"