The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-12
ROsEBERY SPEAKS AT LAST.
Says All Englfshmen Should Now. Pull
TOgether-EditOr stead's Views.

LONDON, Oct. IL. - Lord Rosebery, the
former premier and Liberal leader, has
finally defined his position In regard to the
South African matter. In letter under to-
days date he says: 'I have maintained
silence because i am 10th to re-enter poll
ties. However can speak without touch
ing politics, for a situation has been Great
ed which is beyond party polemics. think
there is much in the last three years of our
relations with the government of the Trans
vaal to criticise. but that is all over for the
present 1t is needless to discuss how we
could best have attained our simple and
reasonable object of rescning our fellow
countrymen in the Transvaal from intol-
cradle conditions of subsection and injustice
and of securing equal rights for both races
in South Africa, for an ultima tum has been
addressed to Great Britain by the South
African republic which is itself a declara-
ton of war. In face of this attack on the
nation, the people will close their ranks
and relegate party controversies to a more
convenient season. There is one more word
to be said. Without attempting to judge
the policy which concluded peace after the
reverse at Majuba Hill, am bound to state
my profound conviction that there is no
conceivable government in this country
which could repeat 1t.
A curious story is in circulation regarding
Lord Rosebery's silence. unbroken until to-
day. 1t is said that the real object of his
silence was to lead President Kruger to
believe that Lord Rosebery and his follow
ers might come to the assistance of the
Transvaal. thus stiffening President Kru-
gers back to resist British demands. Ac-
cording to this explanation Lord Rosebery's
yield, which, from his Lordship's point of
view, would have been fatal as he is fully
convinced that the only road to permanent
peace is the defeat of the Beers.
william T. Stead, editor of the Review of
Reviews, in the course Of an interview,
says: Il maintain that this war is being
forced on the Beers by men who have never
forgiven Majuba Hill. In my opinion, ow-
ing 10 Great Britain's unpreparedness. hos
tilities during the next two months will re-
semble the international yacht race Off
Sandy Hook. AS there cannot be any serious
fighting during that period. hostiIities will
be as dull as yacht races without wind.
We have plenty of time, therefore, to count
the cost and reckon up the guilt Of a con-
templated wholesale homicide In the Trans,
vaal. Long before Christmas take it. the
fool fury of the jingoes will have evap-
Grated"
The Times. in editorial article, which.
in common with those Of other papers,
warmly welcomes Lord Rosebery's letter.
refers to the anti-British feeling abroad.
which is very violently expressed in the
French papers. The article says: The out
burst reminds us of that which greeted the
Americans in their contest with Spain, and
nothing more is needed 10 mark its bitter
ness and futiiity.
The Times. assuming that the Beers ex-
pect great things from the employment of
artillery, which they did not possess in 1881.
predicts that they will be unpleasantly dis
appointed because the effective use Of
tillery requires long. scientific training and
a high state OF discipline. in both of which
the Beers are deficient, while no arm Of the
British service, of late years. has made
such advances as the artillery"