South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 8 (of 8): South Africa and Its Future
History
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 8 (of 8): South Africa and Its Future
South African War, 1899-1902; Transvaal (South Africa) -- History
loyal to Great Britain. Even more to be regretted is the fact that many
colonists of pure British descent, birth even, are merely nominally
loyal to the Imperial connection, if as much as that. Their loyalty is
of the opportunist kind. Because of their hatred of the Dutch
propaganda, and because they fear that the Dutch, if left to themselves,
would become "top dog," they tolerate British institutions. We cannot
blame them over much for this attitude, when we remember how miserably
we have deserted our countrymen in the past; how we have left them to
the tender mercies of the Dutch; how we have neglected their warnings
and advice, and brought ruin and misery upon them because of our
short-sightedness and stiff-neckedness.
Even now the British colonist has many substantial excuses for averring
that loyalty does not pay. In view of these facts it behoves Great
Britain to admit frankly her past errors and to resolve, if she means to
retain her hold on South Africa, to order her footsteps differently in
the future. It behoves Great Britain, if she would avoid future risks of
triangular disloyalty and the grave disasters, local and international,
which might supervene on another period of neglect and snubbing, to
trust the men on the spot. It behoves her to govern South Africa firmly,
consistently, and unemotionally; to have done with Majubanimity and all
its works once and for all; all folly, such as paltering with the
language and education questions, whereby the sentiments and interests
of loyal British colonists are flouted and ignored. Great Britain must,
however, do everything that she can consistently do to bring the two
European races--English and Dutch--together. If she is to do this, if
England is to retain a firm grip on South Africa, we must continue
strong, let it be said rather we must renew our strength here in the
centre of the Empire. Within the next half-century it is probable that
the last ounce of gold will have been extracted from the Transvaal's
deepest deep levels. Within half that time the impending struggle of the
world Powers to establish themselves in unassailable positions will have
taken place. Germany is forced by an inexorable law of self-preservation
to find an outlet for her commerce and her people on the seas. Every
thinking German, from the Kaiser downwards, tells us as much frankly. We
can see it for ourselves. She must find employment, food, and raiment
for her highly prolific people, for their own land is by no means rich
in natural wealth. As to Africa, our hold on it depends entirely upon
the strength of our national grip. If our hand is growing flabby and
listless, and, alas! there are too many indications that such is the
case; if France is to gain her ends in the Mediterranean; if sentimental
views in regard to the natives are to prompt us to stand idly by while
such organisations as the so-called Ethiopian Church of the United
States working from the south, and the emissaries of a militant
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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