The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-12


No fair-mnded person can read the utl-
matum addressed to Great Britain by the
Bouth African Republic, the text OF which
we printed yesterday, without recognizing
that the Pretoria authorities are by no
means lacking in sagacity. They were in
an awkward predicament. To secure the
enthusiastic support OF the Orange Free
State, to draw recruits from the Cape Col
ony and Natal and to obtain the sympathy
OF foreign powers, it seemed expedient
to let England commit the first posi-
lively hostile act. On tho other hand,
IL the Beers waited until the British
forces in South Africa should have been
greatly increased, they would obviously
fight at a tremendous disadvantage. The
danger OF delay was emphasized when, in
addition to the army corps known to be
nearly ready In England, the Queens proc
lamation called out %, 900 reserves. From
this dilemma President KRUGER has extri-
Gated himself by the document, which may
be described as TN utimatum, and which
adroitly throws upon England the respon-
sibility for bloodshed.
The arrival OF Anglo-Indian troops in
Natal and the mobilization OF the English
i'SViNco justify tlle lIduSNd dl
in requesting the British Government to
give assurances concerning the following
points; We italicize the words which
emphasize the equitable nature OF the
requests: First, that all points OF mutual
difference be regulated by friendly recourse
to arbitration, or by whatever other an,ica-
ole rdy may be agreed upon by this 1.-THE
Transvaalsl Government and her Majesty's
Government" second. THAT all troops on
the borders OF this Republic shall be
instantly withdrawn = third, THAT all re-
endorsements OF troops, which have arrived
in South Africa since June 1, 1899, shall
be removed from South Africa witbin a
reasonable time, to be agreed upon with this
Government, and with the mutual assur-
ance and guarantee on the part OF this
Government that no attack upon Orhoshlities
against any portion of the possessions of
the British Government shat be made by
this Republic during the further negotiations
within period of time to be subsequently
agreed upon between the Governments.
and this Government will, on compliance
Herewith, be prepared to mithdrdp the
armed bur0hers of this Republic from the
borders;" fourth, that her Maiestys
troops, which are now on the high seas,
shall not be landed in any part OF South
Africa"
II no time limit had been named for a
reply to these requests, it is obvious that
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN might defer it for at
least seventeen days, that being the period
which has elapsed since September %,
when he announced that he would dictate
the internal reforms which must be EN-
bodied in Transyaa legislation. In seven
teen days, the British preparations for wal
might, OF course, be sgnGlly advanced
What renders the document before us
virtually an ultimatum is the not unrea
sonable statement with which 1t concludes
that, lin the unexpected event that M
satisfactory answer should be received be
fore s p. NJ on October / | 800, the Trans
vaal would be compelled with great regret
to regard the action OF her Majesty,
Government rs formal declaration OF war
cnu would not hold itself responsible fol
the consequences thereof"
It would be difficult to frame declare
tion so we'll calculated to assure the assist
ance OF well-wishers in South Africa, while
at the same time, aveIting the peril in
volved in the postponemeDt Of contes
until tho odds against tho Transvaal SHOULD
be overwhelming. That ii is brave MS wei
as wise act which the Beers have done will
he evident when we recall the fact, never (,
be lost sight Of during the struggle now an
parently impending, that all the men
women and children OF Dutch extrac
ton In the Transvaa and the Orang
Free StSse do not number two hundre,