This is evidently the view of Lord Roberts, who in
his telegram announcing the occupation speaks of Mr. Steyn as "late President of the Orange Free State," and of Mr. Fraser as a member of the "late. Executive Government." He evidently considers that the Republic is at an end, and will doubtless, as general of the occupying army, appoint a Governor who will make all the temporary regulations neces- sary to the establishment of the Pax Britannica within the province. With Lord Roberts as guiding spirit they are sure to be lenient regulations, at least for all who will return to their farms, pay their taxes, and accept their defeat as final. These will be very numerous, for the people of the Free State, who are more civilised than those of the Transvaal, though they accepted the advice of their late President, were never quite hearty for the war, which, as they felt, would, if unsuccessful, subject them to the Queen, and if successful, to Mr. Kruger. They have not made fortunes by the taxation of Outlanders, and can cultivate their farms as easily under one flag as another. Bloemfontein, which is connected by .railway with Johannesburg and Pretoria, will. be the supply centre of the coming campaign, and with its direct communi-
tion with the sea should afford Lord Roberts a second and admirable base. We look to the rapid quieting of the Province of Orange as the beginning of the change which will restore order to South Africa.
