THREATENED INSURRECTION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 842, 27 July 1871, Page 3

THREATENED INSURRECTION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The " Cape Argus," of the 4th April, gives the following account of the threatened troubles in South Africa, arising out of disputed territory ; The ownership of pprtions of the diamond region is disputed, the South African Eepublic claiming one part, and the Free State another; a native chief, Waterboer, denying right of either to the localities claimed by them. "Waterboer placed his case in the hands of her Majesty's High Commissioner, who, on his visit to the diamond fields, arranged with the President (Pretorious) of the South African Republic, to refer the dispute, as far as that state was concerned, to a commission, composed of the British special magistrate at the fields, and a Mr O'Eeilly, an inhabitant of that republic. A similar offer was made by Sir Henry Barkly to President Brand, of the Free State, but that functionary declined to refer the matter to arbitration, unless the King of Holland, or the President of the United States, was made the umpire. This request Sir Henry Barkiy refused. President Brand ordered a command of 1,000 men to Pneil, to support the landdrost, or magistrate appointed by the Free State authorities. Sir Henry Barkly then, as tlie saying goes, " put his foot down." He wrote a despatch to President Brand, declaring that he could not but regard his proceedings as tantamount to a declaration of war against the Queen of England, and significantly reminded him that he is a British subject. He announced his intention of protecting British subjects in the exercise of their lawful calling with all tho force at his command, and made it perfectly clear that all the power the British Government possesses in this colony would be used with decision inputting down any hostile movement on the part of the Burghers. The frontier armed and mounted police were ordered to the front, the northern border police having previously arrived at Kilpdrift. The latest news from the fields states that 250 burghers of the Free State had Jirrived at Pniel, but that no act of hostility had as yet taken place. The diggers were preparing for war, and some of them had " jumped " two cannon belonging to the native chief Jantje.