RETRENCHED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 31 October 1907, Page 4

RETRENCHED.

S.A.C. Man on Leava A3«oJ not t • Return. Officers and men of the Eolith Alrican Constabulary who are at home on leave have received an unpleasant surprise at the hands of Sir Richard Solomon, AgentGeneral lor the Transvaal, who intimates to them that it would he wiser for them not to return to their posts. The letter which reached the unfortunate Englishmen, whom the Beers are “ retrenching,” is as follows : —■ 72, Victoria-street, Westminster, September 7th, 1907. Sir, —I am informed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that he has received a U 1 - gram from the High Commissioner of South Africa to the effect that all officers’ and men of the S.A.C. at present on leave in the United Kingdom should be warned that, owing to the large reduction which it is proposed to make in the force immediately, there is a possibility that they may be personally affected. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether you will return to duty and take the risk of being retired t from the force afterwards. In the event of your deciding not to return to South Africa, a free discharge will be given to yon on application to this office. I have to request that you will inform me at your earliest convenience which course you will follow. —I am, sir, your obedient servant, RICHARD SOLOMON. Agent-General for the Transvaal. A letter from South Africa to one of the officers of the constabulary states that the Boes remark openly that in two years the force will be strong as ever, and that it will then be wholly Dutch. The officers are no longer permitted to retain their military titles of lieutenant, captain, major, and colonel, because the Boes do not like them. So they have been changed to inspectors.