New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-29

themselves All these conditions tend straight
toward fulGlment of the courts decree.
On the other hand If we look beneath the sur
face. there are strong reasons Tor Dehe'ihs ''o
sentence will be committed. For trading pnr-
poses in the great game OF politics such ao'io
would be valuable. 1t would give faui Nr"te'
and his Government a great reputation io'
clemency and generosity 1t would WIN :! ni-
pathy for the Transvaal State in It's struggle
for secession from the British Empire Moro
over. there are men at Pretoria, the freshieh'
himself among them who must realize 'na' '''c
killing of these prisoners would mean war; anu
that war would in the end mean utter ruin ioi
the Boer Government. There are also men, anu
the President among them, who in spite OF the
narrow and heartess Dopper creed have some
feelings Of humanity, and are disinclined 10 need
less and protitless spilling of human lives.
These are the considerations that point toward
a communication Of the sentence.
The attitude OF the British, German ana
American Governments toward the case Is
matter OF significant interest. Mr. Chamberlain
has promptly telegraphed to President Krtlger
that the British Government expects the SEN
tence to be committed. and that 1t has even gone
so far as to assure Parliament that that would
Chamberlain has some understanding with Mr.
Kriger of which the public Is not informed II
looks like marked Interference with the do
nestle affairs of the Transvaal-the very thing
the Boers most resent. Unless Mr. Chamber
lain's case against the Transvaal is much strong
or than It has yet been made TO appear, 1t looks
like a most injudicous thing There Is now
ever, a widespread belief among the shrewdest
observers that Mr. Chamberlain has got some
thing up his sleeve" which, when he brings 1t
forth. will reduce the Boer Government TO terms
in brief order Scarcely anything short of that
could yindlcate the wisdom of his dispatch to
President KrHger
Germany has been backing the Beers, both
openly and secretly, to so great an extent that
we are justified In supposng she Will do so 10
the end AS for our own Government, II should.
Of course make the most strenuous efforts to
secure a reprieve and communication for the
American who Is among the condemned. Tn
fortunately. It's representations are not likely 10
have much weight. The Beers have a profound
contempt for the United States, and the United
States is absolutely dcbarred from making any
demonstration which would appeal to Boer
senslbilitcs The American in the ease appears.
moreover. to have less excuse for his condiict
and therefore less ground on which 10 plead for
mercy than any of his comrades. We can there
fore make no demand, legal or equitable. for his
release. but can merely hope for the best and
cntrcat the Boer Government 10 be generous
News from Pretoria will lenceforth be await
ell with more intense interest than ever before.
But until The worst comes. we shall not believe
the Bocr Government will be guilty Of an act
that yrouId horr,fy the civilized world and put
its perpetrators outside the pale of human SYM
patty, and bring upon them and their Govern
mcnt stern rcprisals and rremcdiable ruin.