The record-union., 1899-10-12

THE expected has happened. / only
hope the hellishness of this premedi-
tated crushing out of hardy republic
is now apparent. Let me remind
America that the onus of war lies not
upon those who fire the first shot, but
upon those who compel it to be fired.
Technically, we have temporarily
put ourselves in the attitude of an ag-
gressor, but who would not have done
so when he believed the existence OF
his country was at stake?
II think We must look far ahead to
see the consequences of this war; In
stead of the pacifcation of South At
rica, which is the alleged aim of Eng
land, we shall have perpetual unrest.
Those very people for whom England
is now fighting will turn against her
in time to come, and protest against
her rule as bitterly as they are now
protesting against ours,
For weeks had seen England's de-
termination to force a hostile issue, or
rather Mr.. Chamberlain's I am sure
he is the only member of the Cabinet
whose mind was thoroughly made up
throughout all the negotiations. What
his intentions were is evident from the
situation to-day. Had the franchise
been the chief grievance, our five-year
proposition would certainly have been
accepted. / have reason to believe that
England enters upon her warlike course
by no means unit Opposition to
Mr. Chamberlain's policy exists to a
greater extent than is generally con-
ceded.
"Our evident desire to conciliate has
been much appreciated, and our re-
fusa1 to allow our affairs to be admin
istered by another nation has not ex-
cited indignation here, or in any quar-
ter of the globe. However, Mr.. Cham
berlain has accomplished his purpose,
and all the hope Is gone. I believe,
nevertheless, that a considerable re-
versal in British opinion would be eff
fected by any serious defeat, for most
Of those now supporting the Govern
ment are doing so with g. light heart
and on general principles. not stopping
to count the cost of war"
Mr. White cited the Isandlwhama
massacre as an instance Of such a
change in British opinion. He then
said:
Il suppose there can be only one ulti-
mate result of the hostilities. AS to
the duration Of the war, l am not able
to guess. 1t seems to me matter Of
the greatest uncertainty I hear that
Great Britain will not begin the wiping
out process until December. In the
meantime we shall see what we shall
see.
II have received no special instruc-
tions or news from the Transvaal dur
ing the last forty eight hours, and I ex-
pect none, having long ago received d.
rection as to the course for me to take
when matters reached this stage I
shall remain on the Continent, and If
anything further can be done in the in
terest of my Government, I shall, of
course, endeavor to do it, though there
seems nothing left but to fight it out
to the bitter, unjust end
Mr.. White seemed much distressed
over the rupture, and evidently did not
entertain the least hope of Boer sue
cess. He said the Transvaal agency in
Brussels would be continued as the
European headquarters of the Govern
ment.
Mr. Whites reference to the Isandl-
whama massacre is an allusion to the
attack made on January %, 1879, by
some $4,000 zulus upon the British
camp at Isandula or Isandlwhama,
about ten miles from Rorkes' drift, on
the Tugela Five companies of the
Twenty fourth Regiment, with Colonel
Durnford, Lieutenant Colonel PuIleine
and other officers, were massacred the
British total loss being about S37. Two
thousand Zulus are said to have been
killed.
CAPE COLONY ABLE TO HOLD ITS
OWN.
CAPE TOWN, Oct 11.-There is little
fear with regard to the possibility of a
successful Boer attack upon Cape
Colony. 1t is believed that the garri-
son is we'll able to hold it's own. The
fact is recalled that in 1881, when the
British were standing on the defensive
they were almost invariably successful.
In a debate in the Cape House of AS.
sembly last evening regarding the alle-
cations Of Boer maltreatment of refu-
gees from the Transvaal, the Premier.
Mr.. Schreiner, implored the House not
to believe the newspapers in this par
iicular. $50 far as / know" he said.
= there is no truth in the statement that
the Orange Free State railway officials
have committed brutal assaults on Brit
ish passengers and officials deny these
Statements"
On the other hand, the reports of out
rage and insult are plentifully corrob-
Grated
KRUGER SAYS WAR IS CERTAIN.
CHICAGO, Oct. 1.-THE following
cablegram was received tonight by the
Chicago Tribune from President
Kruger Of the Transvaal. The cable
gram was sent in answer to a message
from the Tribune" requesting a state
ment of the position of the Transvaal
in the present crisis. In the cablegram
which follows, small words have been
filled in in order to make smoother
reading:
Pretoria, Oct. II, 1S99.--'Tribune,'
Chicago: Through the Tribune we
wish to thank our many American
friends for sympathy in the present
crisis of the republic. Last Monday we
gave England forty-eight hours no.
tice within which to give assurance
that the dispute will be settled by ar
bitration or other peaceful means. The
notice expires at 5 to-day The British
agent is recalled, and war is certain.
This is the fitting end of the British
policy of force and fraud which has
marked all South Africa with the blood
of Afrikanders. We must now make
South Africa free, or the white man $
grave. The republics forces include all
nationalities, among them strong
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I HUhTB u HM II \ q III n II WHI EHH y III