The San Francisco call., 1899-12-12
MASON APPEALS
FOR THE b0ERS
SCathing Arraignment of
England.
DENOUNCED AS A BULLY
IMPAsSIoNED SPEECH IN THE
SENATE.
Advocating His Resolution Of SYM
pathy, the Illinoisan Dubs Cham
berlain Lilliputian
Statesman.
DENOUNCED AS A BULLY
SPEECH IN THE
SENATE.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-An appeal by
Mason Of Illinois for the expression Of
sympathy for the Transvaal republic in
Its war with Great Britain was the feat
ure OF the Senate proceedings to-day. II
was the first formal address delivered in
the Senate this session and was listened
to with thoughtful attention by both the
members and by a large gallery of audi
tors. The resolution upon which Mason
based his speech was referred. at the con-
clusion Of the address. to the Foreign Re-
lations Committee. Lodge OF Massachu-
setts considering 1t too delicate a ques-
ton, in view of the position OF this Gov
ernment, to pass upon without serious
consideration.
While Mason's address at times was
vehement-almost passionate-he confined
himself during a greater part Of the time
closely TO his manuscript, speaking at all
times with force and vigor. In opening
he said:
The war between monarchy and republican
Ism began in earnest on July 4. l77s. and no
treaty OF peace has ever been concluded. nor
ever will be. until the question is settled right.
quarreling among themselves. have always
agreed on one thing; that republic Is a mis-
take.
After quoting extensively from Daniel
Websters speech in support of his posi-
ton, Mason continued:
But We are told that England was our friend
IN the war with Spain. How? Her people were
friends because her people are a Christian
people; her government has never been our
friend except for purposes OF it's own have
no desire to twist the lions tail. but truth
pels the statement. So far our interests
concerned. for the last half century the Kov-
eminent OF England and the people Of England
government did all II could to divide the Union.
but the brave. starving weavers refused to re-
solve against US. saying they would starve be-
fore they would say word for slavery.
But even suppose she were to-day our best
friend. are We TO be silent and uphold wrong
IN consideration OF that friendship? We Ro-
publicans are charged with secret alliance
with England. II cannot be true and the vote
which this a similar resolution receives will
answer the charge.
Mason maintained that under the Mon
roe doctrine and on precedents previously
well established. the United States had
the same right to extend It's sympathy
and hopes for success to the Beers in
their struggle for liberty as II had to in
terfere with Spain in its conduct of af-
fairs in Cuba. He urged that the interest
OF this country was aroused by the fact
that the South African war was a strug
gle between democracy and royalty-be
tween the divine right OF kings and the
divine right OF man. He exclaimed:
II we should speak. and speak quickly. II
would sting the politicians who brought on the
war for greed OF gold and cheer the poor. brave
Dutch defender OF his home.
Mason contended that the question IN
volved in the controversy between Great
Britain and the Transvaal prior to hos
soutS fS Afaca aS siP And 0ne ask said he I'm in
common justice, what right has Great
Britain to be supreme In South Africa?
ibe Is y gnt 70 tb coFrG ,s5 SoGn cond AREA m ana
threaten. bulldoZe. browbeat and interfere
with the Dutchmen until out OF sheer
humiliation and desperation he was driven
to fight.
Referring to Mr.. Chamberlain. he said
Let the distinguished Lflliputian statesman.
rattling around in Gladstones shoes. trying TO
sured that he is deceiving no one except. possi-
bly,. himself.
He declared that no nation except a pro-
fessed bully would make the demands
upon the Transvaal Republic. and in
closing said:
have not sought to excite prejudice by our
past differences with England They are for
gotten and forgiven. But when the colors OF a
republic are struck and sit silent II would
seem that we ashamed tired Of our In
the destruction OF self government in Africa
The statue OF Liberty Enlghtening the World
tion nor a lie We may say without boastinx
that II self-Eovernment Is right We have helped
II I am right. this resolution will help. It
will say to the world ''washington. Monroe
and Webster are dead. but the American policy
still lives" It may sting the oppressor. but II
struggling republic
Mason addressed the Senate for an hour
and twenty-five minutes. He was not
once interrupted in the course OF his
speech.
At its conclusion. Lodge. after express
ing the wish that Mason might have de-
livered his address In the British Parlia-
ment. said there was wide gulf between
private opinion and public official express
sion. The executive department of the
Government. he said. had assumed a neu-
trail attitude toward the South African
war. The passage of this resolution by
the Senate would change Immediately
that attitude.
"If we are to depart from the position
of neutrality" said Lodge "it ought to
ton"
He moved therefore that the resolution
be sent to the Committee on Foreign Re
lations and IL was so ordered.
At 3:05 o'clock the Senate went into ex-
| ecutive session, adjourning at $40.