The information in the article is really carefully structured and (as far as I can tell so far) an accurate and thorough account of the war. However, it's packed with details and extra information you would expect from a chapter in a book, as opposed to an encyclopaedia article. Also, the article contains information which, while interesting to read, could be considered excessively detailed or off-topic. There are words that are redundant, and it would help improve the prose if they were trimmed. My suggestions for the lead and Background sections follow:
- Lead section
its terms envisioned the disarmament of = ‘with the aim of disarming’; monetary cost of conducting = 'cost of’;
Done
excessive detail - which came into effect on 18 March 1884;
Done
- 1 Background
The missionaries sought to promote = ‘They promoted’; It was during this time that they = ’and’; After a number of initial setbacks, the Basuto managed to either capture or acquire = ‘They obtained’; Nevertheless, most of the guns in Basuto possession = 'but the guns’; to trade between themselves under the terms of the 1854 Bloemfontein Convention = ‘to trade weapons themselves’; in the ensuing three wars = 'in wars'; Fearing that the destruction of the Basuto people was imminent, Moshoeshoe, his sons and local missionaries began appealing to = ‘The Basuto appealed to’; also remained - ‘remained’
Done
Redundant words - a number of ; and ammunition; large numbers of;
Done
excessive detail - the British were worried by the disruption in trade caused by the war and the possibility of Boer expansion to the Pondoland coast.; Distrusting the Natal administration and believing that the Cape Colony was not yet ready to absorb the new territory, Wodehouse disregarded those instructions. He blocked the supply of ammunition to the Free State and;
Done
- 2 Prelude
a license issued by the colonial government = ‘a government license; great autonomy = autonomy; The Basuto chiefs were particularly irritated by the magistrates' interference into land disputes, as they = ‘The magistrates interfered with land disputes, when the Basuto’; The ensuing cultural clash, triggered the emergence of a prophetess movement. Whereby diviners = Basuto prophetesses’; Morosi was opposed to the creation of the Quthing District and came into conflict with the inexperienced Hope. = ‘ a move opposed by Morosi.’; Morosi was decapitated and his head = Morosi’s decapitated head; under which the colony's executive branch could issue proclamations to confiscate = ‘which allowed for the confiscation of’; While the bill did not initially extend to Basutoland, Sprigg decided that its implementation was necessary = ‘Sprigg decided that its implementation should extend to the Basuto’; 16 October 1879, Sprigg announced that the Peace Preservation Act would apply not only to rebels but to the entirety of the Basuto population = ‘This was announced’; also held immense symbolic capital as = ‘were’; of Quthing was a violation = was a violation’; the absolute majority of the population = ‘Basuto’; Multiple petitions and delegations originating = ‘Petitions’; Letsie I was old and his health had declined considerably, he = ‘Letsie I, now old and in declining health’; he issued a circular communicating this command; Only a small minority of the =’Few’;
Done
Redundant words - about this constitutional reform; to allocate troops for the expedition; development;
Done
Excessive detail - who maintained a linguistic and cultural identity distinct from the rest of the Basuto; Morosi antagonized Hope by engaging in obstruction of justice and attempted to intermediate him by attending official meetings with a heavily armed retinue.; with a fine of 20 heads of cattle; The motion was supported by Cape Governor Sir Henry Bartle Frere, who saw it as a step towards the creation of a South African confederation.; its arguments were instead presented by Basutophile MPs Joseph Orpen and Thomas Ekins Fuller. Petitions against the disarmament were also dispatched through Griffith to both Frere and Queen Victoria; Griffith outlined the erosion of the magistrates' authority in a series of letters and telegrams. Describing the outcome of the pitso, the failure of the disarmament drive and a series of reports on the murders as well as cattle and land seizures from people who had surrendered their weapons.
Done
More to follow. This is a potentially great article, so I don't mind spending more time reviewing it than I would normally. Amitchell125 (talk) 18:43, 13 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]
- 3 Conflict
In the meantime, Frere had been recalled back = ‘Frere was recalled’; had taken responsibility of maintaining its own = ‘was responsible for its’; heavy rain which had turned the ground into mud = ‘deep mud’; caused the morale of the already unmotivated Cape army to plunge = ‘reduced the Cape troops’ morale still further’; January was marked by the outbreak of the First Boer War in Transvaal which = In January the outbreak of the First Boer War’; on the other hand were = ‘agreed’;
Done
Redundant words/excessive details - his troops from the area; Oral traditions further outline that; had participated in the negotiations and; The Cape's casualties during the war totaled 94 killed and 112 wounded. (unless balanced by a comment about Basuto losses)
:I have removed all the excessive details you have pointed out apart from the casualty numbers. I would argue that they need to be kept in the article. Unfortunately I could not find any figures for the Basuto casualties in any of the sources cited in the article or Lagden's history of Basutoland. I think they are hard to estimate since a lot of people were killed in the infighting between the rebels and the loyalists. Best I can do is add up the Basuto casualties from individual battles and say over X dead and wounded.--Catlemur (talk) 18:20, 14 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]
- 4 Aftermath
uncooperative character of the Basuto = ‘Basuto’s lack of cooperation’; an expert in negotiating with native populations = ‘ an expert negotiator’;
Done
Redundant words/excessive detail - Hostilities had ended and most; the new Cape Colony; which precipitated Griffith's departure from Basutoland on a one year leave; Gordon arrived in Cape Town on 3 May, accepting the position of Commandant-General of the Cape Forces 15 days later.; with a resident and two sub-residents who would hold a consultative role,; By the time of his arrival in Basutoland, Gordon had begun to criticize Orpen's policies and openly call for his removal.; Free State president Johannes Brand protested the Cape's failure to secure the northern border of Basutoland, in violation of the 1869 Treaty of Aliwal North. In March 1883, Orpen was replaced by Captain Matt Blyth.; In November, the Imperial Government sent a telegram to the Basuto, enquiring whether they wished to remain the queen's subjects, facilitating Lesotho's ascension to independence in 1966
Done
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