Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1902. Peace.

Manawatu Herald, 10 June 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1902. Peace.

Last Thursday, in writing on tho declaration of peace, we ventured to predict that the inhabitants of the conquered Orange River Colony and the Transvaal would soon become both useful and loyal colonists. It is extremely pleasing to see how early these views have been confirmed as both those able generals, Botha and De Wet acknowledged that the conduct of the British had been honourable and generous and they promised to snrve King Edward as loyally as they had served their former rulers. We have also the manner in which the prisoners of war and the inhabitants in the refuge camps, have received the news of peace, to know that they will also gladly abide under the new rule. It will be remembered that in 1887 the inhabitants of the Orange River Colony were powerless against a rising of the natives and a British expedition was sent to their relief, and owing to the inhabitants being powerless to protect themselves Great Britain declared that territory to be annexed to the Empire. After having been protected for three years the Boers revoked and the British Government gave them practical independence. The position of settlers in the Orange River Colony is one of danger, as the country is surrounded on three sides by large native tribes, with whom trouble very easily arises, and we can understand that the British authorities have recognised this danger by granting the surrendering Boers the right to retain their rifles and ammunition. Those who remember at the first commencement of the war the good sense of most of the leaders in the Orange River State were against war but they were almost forced into it by their neighbours the Boers of the Transvaal, and these were practically tools of the scheming foreigners who trusted to make more money than they had by previous pickings and concessions. Our past enemies having been met in the hearty cordial manner they have been, and the past two years’ experience, will haze shown them that all under British rule have more independence, freedom, and safety than under that of any other Power. All this tends to peace, and the honest acknowledgement of their brave leaders will help materially in causing the rank and file of the Boer army to accept service under King Edward as frankly as their leaders have accepted it.