The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-13
AMERICA AND THE 1R1XsvAAL.
An Open Letter From the Hon. W. Bourke
Cochran to President Mckinley.

Cochran to President Mckinley.
To ne Han. Wiilidm Mckinley:
MY DEAR SIR: You will. I am sure. excuse
this invasion Of your holiday whom l explain
that its object Is to invoke the exercise oil
power which Providence seems to have placed
in your hands with special reference to dan
ger now threatening the peace OF the world
II can hardly be questioned that a proher OF
friendly mediation by you would sufiee to
delay. II not to prevent. the threatened inva-
sion OF the Transvaal.
II this Government be justified In exerting
miltary force to restore order at the other side
OF the globe, surely II should exert every moral
force to preserre order at half the distance.
A recourse to arms which might result In
kindlinR a fearfully destructive connagration
throughout Chrlstendom. on such questions as
those at ue'between Great Britain and the
Boer Republic. would be an injury to civilized
society which all the forces OF civilization
should com bine to resist.
Tho assertion at the point OF the bayonet by
one power OF a right to control or prescribe
the conditions governing the electoral fran
chise In another country admittedly ndepen-
dent would be an act OF criminal agrees
sion" the enormity Of which has been de-
scribed In clear. vigorous and scathing terms
by the present English Colonial Secretary.
You cannot be indifferent to the fact that
when MIR. Chamberlain denounced as inde-
fensible any suggestion OF interference by the
British Government In the purely domestic
affairs OF the Transvaal. the relations between
this country and England were strained over
the Venezuelan boundary. whiepow that these
relations have become cordial, the same states
man feels emboldened to trample upon his
professions. II not to violate his principles.
An Anglo American alliance can hardly be n
force for the maintenance OF justice and the
spread OF civilization. as its advocates con-
| tend. II EnglRnd's foreign policy be marked by
| respect for justice while the countries are es-
tranRed and by wanton acts OF aggression
| while their relations are cordial. 1t is not eX-
| travagant or unreasonable to insist that any
| country seeking aliance-formal or tacit-
with the United States. must show some
sem bance Of regard for the moral law. at
| least during the period OF courtship.
II there be other and sounder reasons than
those assigned by the press for the attitude OF
| the British Government in South Africa. its 20
| sition will be strengthened by a disclosure OF
| them. A friendly but urgent tender OF your
good offices would undou btedly cvok full and
! complete statement OF the grounds on
! which the peace and integrity OF the
| Transvaal are threatened. Such state
ment would be powerful obstacle to
hostilites. for 1t would enable the civilized
world to form judgment on the merits OF the
controversy. and in all probability that judy
ment would impose itself on both disputants.
Public opinion is a force. which, in these days.
no nation can disregard.
Allow me to add that these suggestions are
| offered solely from q regard for the welfare OF
humanity. and the true glory of our flag. which.
hope. will remain forever inseparable.
Yours very sincerely.
W BOURKE COCHRAN.
81 NASSAU STREET. New York. Aug. "a.