As the result of taking a plebiscite of his constituents,
Mr. Schreiner has resigned his seat in the Cape Parliament. Under circumstances of great difficulty Mr. Schreiner, however tardily, rendered valuable service to the British Government. This ought never to be forgotten, but we cannot profess to feel the "consternation" over his resigna- tion which the South African News attributes to the sup- porters of the war. That step only shows that Mr. Schreiner for the moment is not strong enough to make headway against the more irreconcilable Afrikander element in his party. We do -mot suppose Mr. Schreiner wishes to be regarded as a martyr; nor can we resign the hope that be may continue to exert a moderating influence on the Dutch element in Cape politics. In this context it may be noted that the Netherlands Govern- ment have published three important despatches sent by their Foreign Minister in May and August, 1899, to President Kruger, urging upon him the desirability of being as con- ciliatory and moderate as possible towards England, and stating that the German Government entirely shared this view.
