Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-14
MEDIATION ny UNCLE SAM.
BourLe Cochran Suggests interve"-
ton Between Briton and Boer'


+ (New York Journal)
! Following Is the copy OF an open letter
from Hon. w. Bourke Cochran TO Presi-
dent Mckinley suggesting the offer OF
mediation OF this country between Great
Britain and the South African republic:
New York, August a. 1899
my Dear Sir,-You WILL 1 am sure. ex-
cuse this invasion Of your holiday when
l explain that it's object is to invoke the
exercise OF a power which Providence
seems to have placed in your hands with
| special reference TO danger now threat
ening the peace Of the world.
1T can hardly be question that rrof-
| fer of friendly mediation by you would
suffice to delay, If not 10 prevent, the
| threatened invasion of the Transvaal.
IF this government be justified in ex-
erting military force 10 restore order at
the other side of the globe, surely 1t
| should exert every moral force 10 pre-
serve order al half the distance.
"a recourse TO arms which might re-
silt I'm kindiing a fearfully destructive
confederation throughout Christendom on
| such questions as those at issue between
| Great Britain and the Boer republic
would be an injury TO civilized society
which all the forces OF civilization should
combine TO resist.
QUOTES CHAMBERLAIN.
"The assertion at the point OF the bay
onet by one power OF a right TO control
or prescribe the conditions governing the
electoral franchise in another country
admittedly independent would be an act
of criminal aggression the enOrmity or
which has been described In clear, Vigor-
Gus. and scathing terms by the present
English Colonial Secretary
You cannot be Indifferent to the fact
that when Mr.. Chamberlain denounced
as indefensibe any suggestion Of inter-
ference by the British Government in the
purely domestic affairs of the Transvlal.
the relations between this country ana
England were strained over the Vene-
zuelan boundary, while now that these
relations have become cordial, the same
statesman feels emboldened 70 trample
upon his profession, if not to violate his
principles.
IAN Anglo-American alliance can hard
" be a force for the maintenance OF
justice and the spread OF civilization as
its advocates contend, II England's for
eign policy be marked by respect Tor
justice while the two countries are es-
tranged and by wantOn acts Of agrees
sion while their relations are cordial
IL is not eXtravagant or unreasonable 10
insist that any country seeking alliance
formal or tacit-with the United States
must show SOME semblance Of regard for
the moral law-at least during the period
OF courtship.
WOULD EVOKE A STATEMENT.
IF there be other and sounder rea-
sons than those assigned by the press
for the attitude OF the British Govern
ment i'm South Africa, its position will DO
strengthened by a disclosure Of them. A
friendly but urgent tender Of your good
offices would undoubtedly evoke "A full /
and complete statement Of the grounds
on which the peace and integrity Of the
Transvaal are threatened Such o state /
ment would be a powerful obstacle 10 ,
hostilities, for it would enable the clyi- ,
lied world 10 form a judgment on the I
merits Of the controversy and in all pro- 7
liability that Judgment would impose it. 4
self on both disputants. Public opinion .
is force which. in these days, no nation
can disregard. /
ALLOW me TO add that these sug-
gestions are offered solely from a regard
for the welfare OF humanity and the true /
glory of our flag. which. | hope. will re- 4
main forever inseparable. Yours very
sincerely, w. BOURKE COCHRAN"
The Presidents secretary acknowledged
the receipt of the letter In the following
language
Executive Mansion,
Washington. September 4. 1899 ,
MY Dear Sir.-I beg leave 10 acknow- !
ledge the receipt Of your communication .
Of the 24th instant which was promptly
brought to the attention OF the President !
upon his return TO Washington. Very
truly yours, j. \ PORTER.
Secretary to the President"