The other incident was the alleged treasonable telegram of Mr.
Schreiner to the Transvaal Executive, which was sup- posed to be meant to encourage the Boers not to give in. As a matter of fact, it was intended to prevent them committing themselves prematurely to points on which the Imperial Government could not yield. Sir Alfred Milner himself denied the suggestion of any disloyalty. The incident was, however, in reality unimportant, except as an illustration of the recklessness and unfairness with which people in South Africa call each other traitors. If it should unhappily prove necessary to use force against a portion of the Cape Dutch, we are perfectly prepared to do so, and with a clear conscience, but in the name of good sense and right feeling let us refrain from this ignoble calling of names. Mr. Lincoln was not un- willing to carry on the war with the South with the utmost sternness and vigour, but be would never allow the Con- federates to be referred to in his presence as " rebels " and " traitors " and so forth. If things should come to the worst, his is the attitude which we ought to take up. Let us remem- ber that whatever - happens, we , intend • that, the • Dutch Afrikanders shall remain fellow-citizens pith us and with
the British inhabitants of South Africa. This is not to be our last transaction with them.
