New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-02
BOERS AND KNICKERBOCKERS.
DR. ROOsA INvOKES COMMON ANCESTRY
AS GROUND FOR NETWORKS SUP
PORT OF KRUGER.

AS GROUND FOR NETWORKS SUP
PORT OF KRUGER.
To the Editor Of the Tribune.
Sir. 7 have no doubt that the vast ma
tority Of Americans feel real sense OF graft
tude to the Government Of England for ordering
their navy to give us practical sympathy when
Dewev's fleet off Manila was almost surrounded
by not too friendly French and German shlps.
We all appreciate the healthy British sentiment
that was in full accord with us In our righteous
war upon Spain. There is In our hearts warm
feeling of kinship for those from whom we
learned a common tongue, and whose literature
IS also our own. But we deserve something
from our so-called Mother Country although
she is by no means mother country TO all OF
U.S. For one hundred and twenty-five years
and moro we have experienced much that was
unfriendly at her hands. She allowed George
III and his Ministers to wage undeserVeo war
upon us for seven long years and she had Tor
allies barbarous Indians and mercenary troops
secured from the German relations or her more
than half German King. The cruelties OF that
conflict made the name and sight or the red
coat odious to women and children, as wei as
m many men. for century. Then her awful
press gangs drove US into war with her' not
fifty years after which was ended by an un-
and reluctant commissions at Client. Then
came the Civil War Even with the fullest APP
probation Of her present attitude, can we ever
FORGET although we have forgiven, the sneers
at orr imminent downfall as a united republic,
the violation Of neutrality which led to the
destruction OF our merchant marine by insur-
gent vessels fitted out in English ports and
manned by British seamen?
Yes we have passed all this by, and we stand
with her against the Cossack, the Slav. the
Gaul and Teuton. II need be- but should our
gratitude for her recent. although tardily ten
dered fellowship cause us TO sympathize with
her when she makes what many Of US consider
a wanton attack upon little republic whose In
habitants are, like a large contingent In this
country descended from the Huguenots of
France and the Dutch Beggars Of the Sea? Like
us they have established and up to this time
maintained a free country. Unlike us. they
have not given up the precious franchise with
prodigality to those who might destroy the in
dependence which they obtained with the full
sanction OF Great Britain.
The Beers Of the Transvaal are no better, no
worse, than the Dutch colonists Of Manhattan
and the banks OF the Hudson River. Joubert
is a fine example Of the Frenchmen who, driven
from their country. settled finally In New-York
and South Carolina, in New Rochelle and
Charleston Much of the fighting blood In New
York. New~Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Caro-
mas, which finally successfully resisted Eng
lands attempt TO subjugate this country, was
far from being English. II was Dutch French
Scotch and Irish to a predominatng degree.
The claim of actual kinship to England is
very strong for New-England and Ohio and
Virginia. but not mighty here in New-York
We all have learned our tongue from England
but not notions of freedom. caste, hereditary
governors and aristocracy.
/ am free to admit. be all this as II may we
should be glad as nation to stand by England
In her Just contests to extend civilization. But
this war upon the Dutch Of South Africa did
not have the countenance Of some Of her best
statesmen | only need name as conspicuous
examples of those who disapproved OF Mr.
Chamberla.n's aggressive and brusque dipIo-
macy Sir William Harcourt and John Morley
and as great newspapers that earnestly opposed
the steps that led to the THE Chronicle" in
London and THE Guardian" in Manchester
These men and journals represent a large mi
nority in England. Many " them had ample
opportunities to know the true state OF affairs
In South Africa and the exact history OF the
so-called diplomacy that led to the Beers
ultimatum.
1t is not essential TO the worlds progress In
civilization that the whole or even a part OF
South Africa should be a part OF the British
Empire. or that Canada and Australia should re-
main so. 1t Is necessary. however that the
spirit OF the government OF these countries
should be in unison with that of this country
as we'll as Of England in her peaceful mood
All this could have been secured without war
had not great financial interests OF the Tory
party In England been involved In a subtuga-
ton OF the Transvaal and destruction of IT'S
autonomy. This was desired by the Tories long
before the jameson raid. An inspired writer i'm
'Blackwoods Magazine" some years before that
invasion very plainly foreshadowed this The
same Tory, aristocratic party in England that
organized this war is the party that has al
ways been either secretly or openly an enemy
or republican institutions in our country in
France and the Transvaal. II we must take
sides In this contest. let us take them with
those who have been our friends. and who now
but FOR loyalty to the Crown In actual war
would continue their opposition to this unjust
war for conquest. To read the leaders and
headlines OF the newspapers OF our country
that come to the average readers attention IL
would seem before the war began and
even since so much blood has been she'd that
one Is bound to believe that the republics have
no chance against the empire: but be this
as II may the context OF the war dispatches
seems to show that the English have been
Obliged TO modify their opinions OF tho Boer
bravery and military skill Dull. cowardiy and
stupid, as 1t has been the Tory privilege to stig-