SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 332, 4 February 1902, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER.

(Special to Times.)

Writing from Potebefstroom, under date of December 22nd, Mr A. F. Oox

atatee : ! There is a general feeling abroad that force and perseverance have brought us to the Jaflt phase ol’ the war, but though we may have manoeuvred the last turning, we may have a long straight to negotiate. ' The war may go on for another six weeks, or six months, or even six years —nobody to-day poses as a prophet i a prophet has no honour in or concerning this country —but it is quite evident that a determination has been come to that its fitful course shall no longer be allowed to retard the resumption of legitimate industry, and peaceful occupation. This resolve has been wisely, if tardily, reached; and its influence is already felt in the greater cheerfulness and hopefulness which are everywhere radiating throughout South Africa. One hears from all sides of greater bustle and activity, and the war *itse!f is almost forgotten in tho preparations that are being made for a more comprehensive return to the channels and resources of ordinary pursuits. It has long been the cry of the more impatient victims of the war’s protraction “ Oh, let us forget the war and get on with our every day avocations, just as if there were no war; you’ll soon see how tired Johnny Boer will get of it,” which is certainly a seductive if a fallacious argument One can no more forget the war while the war i proceeds than ono can forget the toothache as long as the tooth continues to ache. But one can nerve oneself not to

yield too completely to the anguish of the toothache, and we can certainly refrain from utter and supine abandonment to the paralysis of war. . That is the experiment which, apparently is now about to be tried. I have referred to it above as a tardy resolve, but by this, do not mean that it was possible to have anticipated it. We all believe that it iB being resorted to at the earliest moment when it was safe

and expedient to do so. To have attempted anything of tho sort before communication was safe, till the blockhouse system was soundly established, till food supplies were regular and reliable, till the outstanding commandoes were more or less scattered, disorganised, and demoralised would have been to court disaster at a thousand points. Now it can be undertaken with every reasonable confidence and assurance of the happier rosults. The object lesson so far as tho recalcitrant Boers are concerned vVill be far more effective than if we had trusted to every premature effect in the same direction. One by one as they see the wheels of industry revolving, the gradual revival of trade and the return of prosperity, and as they contemplate the spectacle of large and growing communities revivifying under the influence of progressive administrations and the healing arts of peace, they will grow "discontented with their self-chosen exclusion from this contented fold and realise with everstrengthening conviction the hopelessness of their dreams, the barrenness of their quest and the folly of their self-chastise-ment. Some of thorn may prefer to re-

main in the outer darkness of their present life ; the majority of them will look longingly and return penitently to the light and brightness of peace and rest. Wo all believe that Lord Kitchener has consented to the resumption of civil activity at the earliest moment it was possible for him to do so with safety, and we anticipate that nothing but the very best results from the experiment which, we hope, will be accompanied by a gradual and tentative relaxation of the rigour of martial law in centres of large population and in all directions which may be thought prudent and expedient, 1 notice in a recent article from the Times Pretoria cor-

respondent a reference to this subject, which seems to indicate that Lord Kitchener’s intentions were not entirely unknown to, or at least unsuspected by, those best informed on the situation. The correspondent remarks, “ The continuance of the war renders necessary close attention to the immediate future of South

Africa. If this campaign is to last any length of time it is imperative that it should be allowed to interfere as little as possible, and always in a lessening degree with the restoration of the normal affairs in thejTransvaal and Orange River Colony. It is incumbent on the military authorities to co-operate more than circumstances have hitherto allowed them with the civil administration for this end. The former should meet the latter in a spirit prompted by a common interest in the future prosperity of the country. Two points call for immediate attention —the return of the British refugees and some system of land settlement. As regards the first if there is a will there is a way, while a beginning of a system of laud settlement might be made by placing discharged soldiers and others, who are prepared to bear arms for their own protection, on farms along lines of communication. This is being done on a small scale in the neighborhood of Bloemfontein, but is capable of immediate extension, especially in tho Johannesburg - Pretoria district.” Both these points are now having immediate and practical attention bestowed upon them. The war has now entered upon the last of its many phases—that in which if we cannot forget that a stato of war still continues we can do our best to still the memory of it by the narcotic influence of w