The grand difficulty in the Transvaal is not to subdue
the Boers, who have no artillery, cannot defeat regulars in equal numbers, and. are unable to remain steadily in the field, but to garrison the country. If the farmers remain hostile, regiments must be stationed at Pretoria, Potchefstroom, 'Utrecht, and some southern point, until the influx of English settlers destroys the preponderance of the Dutch. That is very expensive, and very useless besides, as the troops employed will be lost to the Imperial service. We are happy, therefore, to believe that the Government, while energetically pushing forward reinforce- ments and insisting on submission, is willing to consider the. Docre' demands and statements of grievances. They have not been quite fairly treated. about the question of self-government,, as they expected to form a State in a Dominion of South Africa; and the Dutch at time Cape believe that negotiation is still possible. We fear, for our own part, that nothing short of a Reserved Territory will solve the problem ; but, provided preparations are not relaxed, it will be wise, as well as just, to hear what the Boer leaders have to say. Their kinsmen throughout South Africa are more or less with them.
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