The strike had a not unexpected effect upon the natives,
who can seldom watch white men practising violence or disregarding the law in any way without trying to imitate them. Some thousands of natives in the mines declared themselves on strike, and wore red rosettes ELS the white strikers had done. They were under the false impression that the white men had struck for more pay, and had exacted it. By firmness and tact the native trouble was soon brought to an end, but it went far enough to suggest what might have happened if the anarchy in Johannesburg had continued. Another day or two of general rioting would have made it quite impossible to control the natives, and when once they are out of band the contagion of rebellion spreads far and wide like a prairie fire. In these circumstances it is difficult to bear with patience of the criticisms aimed at Lord Gladstone both in South Africa and at Westminster for sanctioning the use of Imperial troops. It is clear that the troops were not called in a moment too soon. The deplorable loss of life— many of the victims, no doubt, were innocent though over- curious persons—cannot alter that fact.
