The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-13
SEATTLE. FRIDAY, OCT. ~.


PEACE TInsT, THEN PALAvER.
The statement made by the consul
general OF the South African republic
In London, on the eve OF his departure
for the continent. that the Transvaal
has been deliberately forced into an at
titude Of defiance to Great Britain. re-
ceiyoa q confirmation In the letter OF
Lord Ressbssy. Montague White pre-
sents the casa - II will appear to most
men when he says that technically the
Beers may have temporarily put them-
selves In the attitude Of an aggressor.
but that they were compelled to DO 90
a. their only salvation.
Kruger evidently realises that II he
waits until England concentrates suf-
ficient force on the border. terms viii
be dictated at the point Of the sword.
He does not want war: he would will
ingiy avert II. but unless he strikes now
he must simply submit later 70 an over
whelming force. The only hops he can
have IL to reverse public opinion by q
gallant defense OF the freedom Of his
country and the loss Of life such as
might come In repetition Of the massa-
Gro at Isandula- In that action the
British lost nearly 1000 men In an at
tack by 1000 zulus. Threats have III
ready been made that the Hechuanas.
and other native tribes, would assist the
Beers, ~ the Zulus did before.
There seems to be very little hope.
howe. er. that the Beers win be VIC
torious long or that there WIN be SINH
lar ending. They may succeed Tor =
time. but the superior force Of Great
Britain must prevail. Not only h Il
the Policy of the Conservative govern
ment to establish firmly British domin-
Ion throughout South Africa. but even
the Liberal party. so far as 1t ID repre-
scented by Lord Rosebery, Is fully con-
WINGED that the only way to secure per-
manent peace Is to defeat the Beers.
The reverse at Majuba Hill led to q
treaty OF peace which was much con-
demned at the time and Is now regard
ed by British statesmen as having been
serious error OF Judgment 1t win
not be repeated Lord Rosehery Is In
accord with tto great majority OF the
English people when he says that there
Is no conceivable government In that
country which would repeat IT.
With characteristic firmness. when
cnce a step IL undertaken. the.
English nation Will stand by the gov
eminent until the British arms have
been victorious. When war Is con-
eluded. sympathy with the Transvaal
Will revive. and 1t is quite possible that
an administration will succeed t. pow
er which viii seek to undo the wrong
the Beers VIII have suffered by Cham
hsrlain's harshness.
There Is good lesson for some
Americans In the position taken I'D by
Lord Rosebery. He speaks In the name
Of the opposition 10 the party In power
which Is responsible for the present
condition az affairs He admits that
he does not ALTOGETHER approve Of The
policy which has led 10 the war. but
now that the honor of the British flag
II ~ stake a situation has been created
which Is beyond party problems Only
very small proportion 90 the American
people feet otherwise rs 10 American
policy; the overwhelming son;imen.
here has always been the SANE ana 4.
must always be SO IL the prestige OF
the United States or os AIRY country n
To be maintained England Is In an
infinitely worse position with fefereree
20 the Trsnsvaal than vs. are In refer
ence 20 the Philippines; but IL ARMY the
language % President Mckinley. r., a
ru,s.ic address during she ruhssr rvcgr-
ton 20 Dewey. there must - no faiser-
ing when once course IL decided aeon
Tha, VIII be rngianas ro1fcv: II -nns.
BE- ours,
After six rncn,ns - anguish the mouse