LETTERS TO TIIE EDITOR.
THE POSITION OF MR. RHODES IN SOUTH AFRICA.
[To THI EDITOR or TILT "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—May I call attention to a matter connected with administration in South Africa which I think deserves public attention? It is this, that, so far as I know, the British Government has no diplomatic or official representative of any kind in the Orange Free State. And yet that small State holds a position of great importance in South Africa, and might, in certain contingencies which cannot be lost sight of, be a factor of the utmost moment. It is well known that during the Boer War of 1880-81 the attitude of the Free State Beers was a matter of great concern to the British Govern- ment, though the country was then controlled by that wise and moderate statesman, the late President Brand. And since the Jameson Raid it has been widely assumed that the Free State people are unfriendly and anti-British in their sympathies. The proceedings, however, in the Read during the last few weeks do not bear this out, but show, on the contrary, a dis- tnclination to legis:ation of an illiberal character. Would it not, therefore, be of great advantage to the peace of South Africa if our Government had a representative at Bloemfontein from whom President Steyn could learn directly and accu- rately the policy of this country, and who also could communi- cate to the Colonial Secretary a true view of political parties and prospects in the Free State?
This matter acquires additional importance when it is borne in mind that it is Mr. Chamberlain's policy to work ,ts far as possible in harmony with Afrikander sentiment in the Cape Colony. For I think it must now be admitted that Afrikander sentiment has declared itself against Mr. [nodes. It wa' supposed that the demonstrations at Cape Town and Port Elizabeth pointed to the predominance of his Influence amongst our colonists. But what are the facts is Since the Cape Committee reported against Mr. Rhodes there have been by-elections in three constituencies whose Members were supporters of Mr. Rhodes. These three seats are now All filled by Members hostile to Mr. Rhodes. In Kimberley, Rhodeo's stronghold, Mr. Richard Solomon, Q.C., was returned unopposed for the seat formerly held by Mr. Rhodes's henchman, Dr. Harris. In the Wodebouse division Mr. De Wet, a strong Afrikander Bondsman, captured the seat vacated by Mr. Orpen, upon the latter's accepting a post offered him by Mr. Rhodes in Charterland. In the last and still more striking election at Beaufort West, a strong Rhodesian candidate was beaten by nearly 300 votes in a total poll of 1,327.
The divisions in the Cape Parliament within the last few weeks point to the same conclusion. On a test division between the party who desire that there shall be no inter- ference with the Transvaal Government so long as it adheres to the Convention, and the party who advocate action or pressure on behalf of the Outlanders, the latter party, sup- ported by Mr. Rhodes, were beaten by a majority of 10 in a House of 73. This was in the Lower House. In the Upper 1-louse a like division resulted in Mr. Rhodes's party being beaten by two to one. On a vote of want of confidence in the Government, although Mr. Rhodes supported the Government, .she result was a tie, and the Government was only saved by the casting vote of the Speaker. In this division there voted in the opposite lobby to Mr. Rhodes, not only his colleague in the representation of Kimberley, and the majority of the Dutch, but Mr. Merriman, Mr. Sauer, Mr. Schreiner, and Mr. Rose-Innes, all of them former members of Mr. Rhodes's Ministry. Surely these facts are more eloquent than any number of demonstrations.—I am. Sir.
FREDERIC MACKARNESS.
6 Crown Office Row. Temple, E.C.
Previous page
