THE CAPE DUTCH.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I desire to thank you for your sympathetic treat- ment in the Spectator of December 30th of my appeal on behalf of our Dutch fellow-subjects in the Cape Colony. I feel confident that the attitude taken by the Spectator in this matter will do much good at the Cape. I observe that you question the accuracy of my statement that Sir Alfred Milner had been entreated to advocate some direct expression of her Majesty's sympathy with her loyal Dutch subjects in their sorely trying position. The fact is, however, beyond dispute, and if the Governor had given the idea the least encouragement, the informal repre- sentations made to him world have taken formal and definite shape. Unfortunately, for a long time past Sir Alfred Milner has thought it right to adopt an attitude to his Ministry and their supporters which has destroyed all confidence between him and them. This would be a serious matter in time of peace. But when war has brought race feeling to white-heat, it becomes of the utmost gravity. Consider, Sir, what the last year has revealed to us! In the closing months of 1898, a Ministry was returned to power at the Cape which was sup- ported almost entirely by the Dutch. They signalised their accession to office by proclaiming a strongly patriotic pro- gramme, including the financial support of the Imperial Navy and the promotion of close relations between the Colony and the Northern British territory known as Rhodesia. Within a few weeks of the meeting of the Cape Parliament they carried out their programme by passing one Bill for providing for an annual Colonial contribution of £30,000 to the Navy, another for handing over to the Imperial authorities the valuable naval station of Simon's Bay, and by offering to carry over their railways at cost-price the material required for the railway construction and development of Rhodesia. These things were done in December, 1898, by the unanimous votes of the newly elected representatives of the now so-called disloyal Dutch, and so late as May 18th last year Mr. Goscheni in an enthusiastic speech about the loyalty of the Cape Dutch, said:—"The motion to grant 280,000 a year was passed unani- mously. The Afrikanders were in power. The power bad passed from Sir Gordon Sprigg ; the Schreiner, the Bond party were at the helm. But it made no difference, and let the country understand it,"—and he called upon other Colonies to imitate "the patriotic example." Who, then, is to blame for the startling change alleged to have taken place in the feelings of these tried loyalists? And how shall we measure, I will not say the responsibility, but the political ineptitude of the statesman who could in a few short months convert such demonstrated and practical loyalty into either active disloyalty or at least deep distrust and resentment P Let me give the answer. It is hardly credible, but it is an actual fact, that within three months of the passing of the above legislation by Mr. Schreiner's supporters, Sir A. Milner was suggesting to Mr. Chamberlain that these men might be parties to a "combined movement in favour of a South African Republic," and just a fortnight before Mr. Goschen's speech he actually formulated by cable the charge that "a large number of our Dutch fellow - Colonists were being drawn into disaffection." Upon what was the charge, so grave if true, so unjust and unwise if not true, based P It is difficult to believe, but again it is a fact, that Sir A. Milner, though often challenged, has produced no other evidence than a letter which appeared in a local print published in the extreme North of the Colony, to which the writer did not dare to put his name, and which was commented upon by an extreme paper in the Transvaal. It is not surprising that from this moment the Dutch found it difficult to regard with confidence a Governor whose subsequent conduct bore out the attitude of suspicion which he had taken up towards them. The Colonial Ministers, accustomed to the confidence habitually given to his Ministers by Lord Rosmead, found their opinions asked by Sir A. Milner only on matters of domestic concern. The moat frequent and intimate visitor at Government House was the editor of the chief opposition paper, and the leaders of the South African League were welcome. Even when the Cape Prime Minister felt bound to press his views about the Transvaal upon the Governor, there was a difficulty in getting them effectively represented to the Colonial Office at home. Later on, matters reached such a pass that Mr. Chamberlain stated in a speech at Birmingham, presumably on information supplied by Sir A. Milner, that the latter was " surrounded by hatred and intrigue." Matters culminated on July 7th in Mr. Schreiner having to urgently insist that Mr. Chamberlain should at once correct a statement made by him in the House that the Cape Ministry bad not communicated their views in opposition to active interference in the internal affairs of the Transvaal, the fact being that he had frequently told the High Commissioner of the views of himself and his colleagues. From time to time statements, evidently believed in Cape Town, have been publicly made that Sir A. Milner contemplated the dismissal of Mr. Schreiner's Government, for upon the outbreak of the war a deputation of Opposition Members represented to the Governor that in the interests of the Colony, and to avoid civil war, the Ministry ought to be kept in office. The Ministry accord- ingly were kept in office, and Mr. Schreiner declared his belief that the peace of the Colony could only be maintained— the Dutch having sympathies one way and the English the other—by a policy of neutrality P But how far has this policy of neutrality been observed P Two thousand British Colonists are being raised in the Colony to fight against the Boers. and there has been chosen as their leader Colonel Brabant, the late President of the South African League, and the force has been recruited for by Mr. Crewe, its paid secretary, the League being an organisation which was publicly condemned by Mr. Schreiner for its persistence in fomenting racial animosity in the Colony. It may be inevitable, but it is not pleasant to read of the summary arrest of civilians, and of the consignment of Dutchmen to prison on charges of treason, as in two cases heard before the Queen's Town Magistrate, upon the uncorroborated evidence of a native and his daughter. It has been asserted that even that most provocative of all steps has been taken,—the employment of black policemen to watch Dutch farmers. Sir, the above facts show that Sir A. Milner, despite his high character, has failed to understand the position of the constitutional Governor of a Colony inhabited by two white races, and that he has become the recognised cham- pion of the Opposition which represents only one race. If so, his presence in the Colony under existing conditions can be no gain to the Empire, and the importance of con- vincing the Dutch that their confidence in the sympathy of the Queen is not misplaced becomes in consequence of urgent importance.—I am, Sir, &c.,
FREDERIC MACKARNESS.
[We publish Mr. Mackarness's letter, as we think his is a side which ought to be heard, but we must warn our readers that Sir Alfred Milner's case has not been put, and cannot be put while he is High Commissioner. We regret to note that Mr. Mackarness has cared to use against Sir Alfred Milner a back-stair charge based upon the names of the guests enter- tained by the High Commissioner. That charges of that kind were brought against him goes a good way to prove that he has been "surrounded by hatred and intrigue." We should certainly say the same if we found people here preferring charges against Mr. Schreiner because of the people who had been seen going in and out of his front or back door. We have always regretted that Sir Alfred Milner did not adopt Abraham Lincoln's plan of never talking about rebels, and allowing no one to call the Southern rebels in his presence while fighting them to the uttermost, but we protest against these attacks upon a man who, even if he has made mistakes, is fighting a brave fight against great odds, and whose patriotism and loyalty to the Empire are without stint.—ED.
Spectator.]
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