The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-04
A NATION Pu1 TO BLUSH.
Englishmen Forced to Admit the Discred-
liable Facts Regarding Jameson's Raid.l

New York, MAY "A London cable
gram to the Sun says:
If disgust.and shame can be personif1ed
by hole nation then the English peo-
pie stand today the perfect embodiment
of those emotions. Five months ago
England smarted under the indignitiss
heaped upon her by the Sultan, who
tiouted and def1ed her ministers. Today
she suffers the fear of greater humili-
alton at the hands of the ruler of little
South African state, who oonvicts repre-
sentatives of one Of the grossest and most
vulgar conspiracies ever conceived by
trong power against a weaker.
1t Is difficult to give an adequate ifel
OF the overwhelming revulsion of pubic
sentiment in this country, caused by
the publication of President Kruger's
decisive proof Of the dastardly plot
against bis republic by British authorities
in South Africa. 1t really is creditable
to the English people that they acknow-
ledge freely, with few exceptions, the mas
terful triumph of this grand old man of
South Africa, and the perfect justics of
his course throughout the difficult situa-
rtion of the last four months. 1t is especi.
which until now have defended blindly
Cecil Rhodes and the South Africa Com
pany, and havs idolized DR.. Jameson
and his freebooters, have suddenly
faced around, denouncing the conspira-
tors and heaping ridicule and contempt
upon DIR. Jim and his "heroes." That
word Nheroes," taken from one of Col.
Raodes's cipher dispatches, has already
become term OF scorn and irony.
"Don't send any more heroes: no more
room for them," is an extract from this
disgraceful record which will live in
diplomatic and political history. Sur
prise over the facts that the leaders of the
conspiracy pleaded guilty in the face of
such damning evidence, and that the ex
IRENE penalty Of death was pronounced
against them, has quite disappeared. In
its place has arisen q warm feeling Of
appreciation of the magnanimity of the
wise, imperturbable old man who has
managed the affair with far greater skill
than any English statesman of this pres
ent day ever has shown in a vital emer-
gency. Bismarok's remarks, years ago.
that Paul Kruger was the greatest states
man he ever met, is fully justified today
in the mind of every Englishman not in
office.
"What pity President Kruger cannot
be prime minister Of England!" I heard
an exasperated but admiring English
man exolaim today after reading about
the grim old Beers masterstroke.
The effect of this startling revelation
hardly has passe hey ond the sentiment
tai stage as yet. Men and newspapers that
yesterday defended Rhodes are demand
ing today that he be called home and
placed in the dock at the Bow street po-
lice court when the trial of the case
against Jameson Is resumed. There is
no longer any doubt that he not only
was one of the leaders of the conspiracy,
but also deceived and made ridiculous
Cham berlain and other members Of the
home government.
The colonial secretary said at the time
OF Jameson's raid, that IL 1t should be
shown that the chartered company had
a guilty fore-knowledge of the move
ment, the government would be prepared
to meet the demand for the cancellation
Of the charter. Full proof of this very
thing now has been submitted by Presi- |
dent Kruger, and 1t remains TO be seen
what the British government will do |
about it.