The other important document is Mr. Chamberlain's despatch in regard
to the Outlanders' petition to the Queen. Here the language is exceedingly quiet and even formal, but the effect is most impressive. After dwelling upon the Out- landers' grievances in regard to the police, and dealing with the Edgar incident, Mr. Chamberlain sums up the position of the Government. "They are most unwilling," he says, "to depart from their attitude of reserve and expectancy, but having regard to the position of Great Britain as the para. mount Power, and the duty incumbent upon them to protect all British subjects residing in a foreign country, they cannot permanently ignore the exceptional and arbitrary treatment to whioh their fellow-countrymen and others are exposed, and the absolute indifference of the Government of the Republic to the friendly representations whioh have been made to them on the subject." The Government are, he goes on, most anxious to avoid intervention, and they earnestly desire to maintain the independence of the Republic. If they wished its overthrow they would certainly not urge upon the Trans- vaal the course they have urged. That is perfectly tree. Undoubtedly the result of giving the full franchise to the Outlanders would be enormously to increase the stability of the Republic. Unfortunately, the Boer conception of the State cannot rise above that of an oligarchy such as rules at Pretoria.
Previous page
