THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3201, 23 May 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1879.

The greater importance attached to the Zulu War has for the time withdrawn attention from another step lately taken by the British Administration in South Africa, and which may yet lead to very unpleasant consequences. It will be remembered that, upon the advice of Sir Bartle Frere, the large territory known as the Transvaal was annexed, and that, in the face of the well-known objections of the Boers, the people of the district. Frequently of late our telegrams have mentioned the feeling shown by the Boers, the latest being that a memorial had been handed by them to the High Commissioner for presentation to the Queen, asking for their independence. This request Sir Bartle Frere refused to support, and, no doubt, the fact will tend to create further dissatisfaction in a people that, under present circumstances, it is most desirable to conciliate, and to have at least a moral support from, while the Zulu war is in hand. Items from South Africa more than once seated that the Boers were aiding Cetewayo, if not with men, at least their sympathies were on his side; and from the open discontent shown by them at the action of Sir Bartle Frere it would not be a matter of surprise if the more violent section of the nation declared themselves open enemies. Evidently advantage is being taken by the Boers of the situation of affairs in Zululand to press their claims for national liberty. From all sources it appears that a determination is shown by them to make every effort in that direction, and the. Cape Argus, discussing the situation and the views held by the Boers, says:— " Bloodshed they all deprecated, a Zulu alliance they repudiated with indignation, but a restitution of independence they must have, ■ was the common answer. This was their opportunity. At one time hopes had been built upon a war with Russia, later upon the difficulty with Afghanistan, but the moment was never more promising than now, when the British lion is enmeshed in trouble with his native subjects and neighbours all round the rookery. No secret has been :nade of what is likely to be done, except that the intention of calling the old Volksraad together on the 17th of the present month was not generally known. ! A meeting of the committee, then a mass meeting, next a march of the people upon Pretoria, and finally the submission of the British officials to adverse circumstances, and their peaceful departure from the country were the leading points

in the open programme. And what then Why the situation would be recognised as so serious that the High Commissioner, even if he were able, would take no coercive measures against the triumphant republicans, until reference had been' made to England." With a war in hand—and one not likely to be ended in a few months—the aspect of affairs in the Transvaal is anything but satisfactory, and may lead to complications in South Africa, the result of which can not readily be foreseen.