In the Standard of Tuesday, January 30th, appears the following
:—
" atcLICIILA.N.—On Christmas Day, shot, in the Market Square, Harrismith, Orange Free State, South Africa, for refining to light against his own countrymen, John McLachlan, Jun., age to, eldest son of John McLachlan, of 'Wandsworth, and grandson of the late John McLachlan, of Lambeth:' Here is a case where those who desire to supply accurate information as to South African affairs could be of great use in confirming or denying the fact. If it cannot be denied—then the Free State authorities have com- mitted one of the most barbarous, bloody, and tyrannical acts which a. State can commit. The whole English-speaking world should ring with denunciations of a crime so detest- able. Especially should Americans speak out on such a matter, for they showed the true way in their treatment of technical rebels, and set an example to mankind. If the story is true we must not, of course, ask for reprisals on the so- called rebels among the Cape Dutch, for that would be un- just, but upon the cruel and bloodthirsty men who ordered the execution. It may be, no doubt, that even when our arms are victorious we shall be unable, for political reasons, to inflict punishment, hut, even so, the crime must be held up to universal obloquy, and the men who committed it be branded as they deserve. The supporters of the Boers here would have denounced, and rightly denounced, our authorities in Natal if they had first tried to force the Dutch citizens of Natal to fight their own kin, and then had shot them in cold blood for their refusal. We trust they will not now be slow --granted that they cannot deny the fact—to denounce the tyranny and cruelty of the Free State, and to demand expiation.
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