New-York tribune., 1899-12-11
LIBERTY THE ISSUE.
THE TRIBUNES ATTITUDE ON THE SOUTH
AFRICAN CONFLICT COMMENDED

THE TRIBUNEs ATTITUDE ON THE SOUTH
AFRICAN CONFLICT COMMENDED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The attitude Of The Tribune in the face
of the struggle for liberty In South Africa Is
worthy Of a great paper II seems to breathe
forth living sympathy with the downtrodden
and oppressed. and inspires one with the
thought that liberty and progress are triumph
antly marching on to the relief Of those who
have suffered so bitterly in the past.
Your issue Of October Is last laid bare 10 the
world the real secret Of the trouble. The politi-
cal tactics of the Beers have always been a
menace to their neighbors and a stumbling
block to themselves. But for the English the
Beers would long ago have been annihilated by
the Zulus and the Ka11rs. They have received
at all times the most consderate treatment from
the English. The lenency Of the British Gov
ernment has been misunderstood by the Beers,
till at last their nsolence eliminated in the per-
emptory ultimatum. which will no doubt pass
down TO history their obituary The Out
landers greatly Outnumber the Beers. They
form the real sinew OF the country which they
have largely developed. They pay nearly all the
taxes, their children cannot he taught in their
native tongue in the public schools. Practically
tHty ueDdrred tne rlRnt OF puDHc HeetlHb'
their houses are subject to search at all sea-
sons: they cannot be- tried by their fellows, as
none but Beers serve the jury. Their
rights have been steadily and systematically
encroached on till finally liberty to them Is
but a shadow Whenever they have petitioned
for redress they have been met with jeers and
contempt.
Who are these Outlanders? Only British and
American
Germans. Surely, in this nineteenth century it
is not supposed possible that the country which
has expended blood and treasure without stint
in defence OF murdered missionary can stand
aloof and see tens of thousands Of its citizens
suffer such fragrant wrongs without raising It's
hands to redress them II possible.
In Great Britain or the United States these
Outlanders would have received equal rights or
citizenship had they so desired, and would nave
been welcomed with open arms as valuable
addition to the community. In former years
they could obtain citizenship in five years; now
they have to wait fifteen years. ana are then
admitted only if two-thirds Of the Beers are
willing to enfranchise them. In the mean time
they are called upon for military duty and to
renounce their allegiance to their native land'
The criminal stupidity manifested by the
Roers in the matter Of government proves con-
clusively that they have no regard for the rights
of others There is not much in common to-
day between this people and their NOME ances ,,a
tors I'm the Netherlands They are sturdy and
brave race; still these traits will not atone Tor
their wretched treatment Of the people who
were invited to settle among them me tnought,
less CRY has repeatedly gone forth that the real
cause OF the trouble is British greed for gold
that Is TO say, for the gold mines OF oouth
Africa Nearly all these mines are alreauy ,Is
property of the Outlanders by purchase ana
labor why should they agitate TO seize "hat
already belongs to them by right?
After making due allowance for racial sym
pathy for the Beers and for sympathy sprlnginG
from less natural and creditable causes. we may
rest assured that the great body of the people
of the United States fully realizes that Hreat
Britain is engaged in righteous cause;
II is a grand sight to see these two all pow
erful nations standing side by side, teachng
the lesson that no nation Will be suffered 10 de-
prive their citizens of that liberty FOR whlch
their fathers bled and died. They alone know
the road is straight from Runnymede TO Appo-
mattoX. ,n,. ., .
Mrs Partington had a less difficult task TO
sweep back the Atlantic than the Boers VIII
have in their attempt to deprive men more
worthy than themselves Of the noble heritage
". a,,.x ,,hortv rt.r| r. G.. II.
Summit n. J., Dec. q, 1899