New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-17
ENGLAND PAYING A DEAR PRICE
HER MILITARY GLORY oBsCURED AND THE
LIGHT OF HER MORAL PRES

TIGE DIMMED
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir Jesuitism did not spring Minerva-lke, full
hedged from the brain OF Loyola. He found It al
ready implanted in human nature and simply or
ganized its scattered elements into power formu-
lated them into code 81 tactics for the use Of the
Church Militant and, incidentally for the greater
glory Of God The theory that the end justiies the
means is as old the first glifnmer Of conscience
in the mind of man. Conscience instituted moral
compromise, and since then ito do evil that good
may come has been practsed in every age even
the most religious. especially the most religious.
and is known to every race even the most honest.
The individual may be able to keep outside its at
mosphere. but the purest public servant can rarely
escape its influence. The statesman must neces-
sary often hesitate-when he hesitates at all-be-
tween abstract right and the relative right known
as eXpediency, and II has become axiom
that in practical politics public and private morals
will never absolutely correspond" But even in that
laxer code that regulates party actions and Gov
eminent measures certain doings hold the same
relation to public life that cheating cards does TO
private life.
In chapter by Mr.. Lecky on Moral Compromise
in Politics and the Duties Of a Statesman the
following account is given of Mr. Rhodes's share
in episode which the historian characterizes as
"one of the most discreditable rs we'll mis-
chievous events in colonial hstory'-that is,
the Jameson raid
What he did has been very clearly established.
When holding the highly confidential position Of
the same time a Privy Councillor Of the Queen he
engaged in conspiracy for the overthrow OF
out this design he deceived the High Commissi Toner
whose Prime Minister he was. He deceived his
der false pretences force which was intended
to cooperate with irsurrecton in johannesburg.
made use OF that position. Without the knowledge
of his colleagues, to further the conspiracy He
took an active and secret part in smuggling great
quantities of arms into the Transvaal which were
intended to be used in the rebellion; and at a time
Johsnnesburg as seething with spontaneous indig-
nation agan1st an oppressive ne with
thousands Of pounds in that town in stimulating
connected with the shabbiest incident in the whole
afair-the concoction OF letter from the Johannes
women and children at Johanhesourg as IN CANCER
of being shot down by the Beers, and urging the
letter. drawn up With the sanction Of M Rhodes
many weeks before the raid and before any dis
dated and used in the last moment for the pur-
pose Of inducing the young soldiers Of south africa
The purpose of being published in the English press
order to work upon English public opinion and
persuade the English people that the raid. though
technically wrong was morally justifa ble.-(Sec
ond report of the Select Committee on British
South Africa.
Now, the English nation has always claimed to
possess in pre-eminent degree. taking much
pride in the possession certain superior quality.
that of fair play to fair play to give fair play.
to conduct every sport according to the strict rule
of the game TO deal every blow fairly "above the
belt" All this they glory in. Yet the English
have allowed their of justice TO be caught
in the of party loyalty recently laid for them
showing, this distinctivey English trait is
spicuous by its absence.
wardnes of the oeTs ue th
their subbornness her medieval modes OF gov
in the main correct. but fail TO realize the full
should examine them from the point of view OF
Cecil Rhodes. as explained In the above quotation;
and ND bar barbara ' lack of ambition They arc not
seeking for "open doors; they only ask to be
rant Of the rened arts Of civilization The pre-
viously prepared letter act the ace held in reserve
player winning hand-all these delicate diplo-
truth" they can only speak their minds and
shoot, shoot with an accuracy of aim and per.
modern nations has as yet failed to equal.
po and no laureate to rhyme their C deeds They
still in the dark ages Of Bible literature and
the SS Of Davd to Oppose the ods Of
TIM If the picturesque "Fuzzy- wuzzys" qualities
as first class hghtin' man" could arouse ZIP
lings enthusiasm because he "bruk a British
over Tommy Atkins must find some words Of
praise in honor OF the prosaic 'Dutchy,wutchy.
OF an entire Highland regiment-minus .he mules;
Among nations the penalty for standing sun Is
that blocks the path of more energetic races is
likely to be gradually swept under or else trampled
on roughshod England has chosen the latter way
OF acquiring the Transvaal. National existence is
long and she could afford to wait until the slowly
creeping tide Of modern ideas and modern methods
had done the work for her. But individual life is
short and the restless spirit Of Messrs. Chamber
lain and Rhodes preferred a shorter cut 70 con-
quest.
England's power and resources her pluck. her
endurance, her tenacity IN the face Of obstacles.
her very obtuseness as regards the traditions OF
other and the feelings Of other peoples. VIII
serve her to-day they have ever done in the
past but she will win costly triumph where she
could have gained a bloodless victory. And
whether the price she pays be much or little. the
prize she obtains from i great or small. one CON
sequence OF her mistake has already followed: Her
most sincere admirers must admit that. owing 10
the impatient ambition Of two oyertrusted leaders,
in the year 1899 the world Englands military
glory not little obscured and the light Of her
moral prestige very decidedly dimmed
The above reflections have been called out by the
courteous foot to recent letter Of mine which
YOU did me the honor TO print. and recent edi-
torial entitled Sympathy with the Beers.
Washington Dec. II, 1899 BARRY BULKLEY.