New-York tribune., 1899-12-08
ENGLAND'S RULE BENEFICENT.
ROBERT p. ROOSEVELT sYMPATHrzEs WITH
THE BoERs. BUT SEES SOUTH AF-
RICAS BEST INTERESTS

To the Editor of The Tribune
er' have read with Interest the letter OF DIT.
hoosa on the question Of the South African Re-
puohc ana agree with him fully to the conduct
OF the English In the past. He has not even told
hhit the truth about that conduct which has given
TO Great Britain the well deserved title OF Perdl-
Gus Albion" Not only did she take this very city
OF New-York In time OF peace but IS said to have
secured Gibraltar dishonesty. Cape Colony by open
treachery and is now in possession of Egypt under
false colors
While admitting all this, deprecate It's discus
sion, and have been placed in false position by
deprecatng II at the meeting OF the Holland So
ciety which called TO express sympathy for
the Beers society 10 which both Dr. Roosa and
myself belong. They say Il is bad husbandry to
harrow up the feelings Of your wife and England
is sort Of morganatc bride at the present time
or the United States although II is possible that the
relationship may be only temporary, II certainly
will be If DR.. Roosas statements should be general
ly adopted and repeated in this country.
And, moreover, due allowance must be made for
English temperament and full credit must be given
for the beneficial results of English rule. England
means 10 do right. and is so absolutely convinced
that she has always done right that her only con-
cep;ion Of the accusation OF "perhde Albion" is
envy and jealousy the part of nations actuated
by less elevated sentiments. She would be the last
10 be guilty of intentional treachery TO an ally
or brutality TO the conquered. II she occupied
Gibraltar TO assist the Spanish and Cape Colony to
protect the Dutch and then kept both as the best
thing TO do under ell the circumstances, no candid
man deny that this retention was for the
best-that is. best Of all mankind.
Imagine weak, proud and irritable Spain possess
ing to-day the impregnabe guardian Of the en-
trance 10 the Mediterranean. feeble little Hol-
land owning the key to the immensely valuable
gold and diamond mines Of South Africa. So. while
my sympathies are wholly and absolutely with the
Beers. while insist they are so utterly right that
England does not dare 10 formulate her claims
against them-for. indeed. there are no claims ex-
cept those of a robber against his lonely victim of
a truculent fighter against feeble adversary OF
a pirate against a peaceful merchantman-never-
theless. think most men will admit that Southern
Africa will be happier, richer and stronger as a
colony Of Great Britain after the pattern Of Can
ada, than as a couple Of weakng republics
Hence 1t is that have advised that in the first
place retain position Of friendiness TO Great
Britain a relationship that promises untold beneh;
to civilization and Christianity. Our two national
ities have many points Of resemblance Nationally
we each know always right, Just and hu-
mane-as, indeed, we both mean 10 be. 1ndividu-
ally rely upon and trust one another as we rely
upon and trust no else-no Frenchman. Ger
man Spaniard or even Russian United can
keep all foreign nations in check and regulate
wisely and properly the affairs OF the entire world.
So. while giving my entire personal sympathies
10 the Beers: proud ] am Of my connection by
Il ~
death for its lberties-for there is no man In the
Boer army who has not calmly made up his mind
to die for freedom-and being sure that even yet
England has idea Of the tremendously difficult
character Of the still before her. which has
already cost her dear. l urge now that hostilities
have begun that Americans do not fout and
harry England: that we maintain our friendship
and express well merited gratitude for favors dur
ing 'late unpleasantness," waiting for the time
when we can intervene successfully and with the
good will OF both sides. and that in the mean time
commit no breach Of neutrality, but confne our
efforts TO a humanitarian direction.
Our Anglicized American colony abroad has fitted
out a ship for the Red Cross on the side OF the
British; let US here fit out another on the side OF
our little sister republic The Holland Society has
begun this work: let all Boer sympathizers help 1t
along by communicating with Tunis g. Bergen OF
No. IS Liberty-st.. the treasurer.
ROBERT B. ROOSEVELT.
New-York. Dec. 6, 1899.