The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-10-14
THE TRiNsyAAL WAR.

The little Boer republic is occupying
Urge share of the attention of the
world to-day in its difficulty with
England. and, as is the case in all dis
putes of the kind between nations, pub
lie sympathy is divided more from ig-
norance or prejudice than correct
knowledge of the circumstances giving
rise to the controversy. AS in the case
of our war with Spain. opinions are ex-
pressed and language used which the
facts do not seem to warrant. We
were accused of taking advantage of
the troubles o; a weak nation to rob it
offs possessions, and the same is being
said Of our struggle with the Fiiipinos.
We claim, however, that we had no
such motive, that our only motive was
to free the Cabaus from the rule of a
cruei and despotic people and give to
them the blessings OF free govern
neut, such AS we enjoy and is enjoyed
wherever the English speaking race
is III the asce ndant. So are the motives
of England belied to-day in her trouble
with the Transvaal repubic-she is ac
ccsed of wanting 20 Incorporate the
Boer republic in her South African
possessions more than to secure for
the foreign residents Of that state the
rights and privileges enjoyed under
British an American rule
Speaking of 6oer rule in the Trans
yaal a visiting South African banker
who was III Chicago recently said:
Chicago would have civil war in
Il hours were 1t governed like the
Transvaal. Would your city be governed
by 80 farulers? Would Chicago submit
10 taxation without representation
Would you live uuier laws which were
framed only to make money for the
farmers? | think not"
This TraHsyaal muddIe , 1t has
been misrepreseni in all countries
except South Africa. The press OF
America is tai king of the liberty of the
South African republic while none ex-
lists. England Is accused of stealing
liberty from the Beers. Well, let Ameri
"a put herself in the same box and see
where the restriction of liberty lies.
=" The TransvaHl Is misgoverned. 1t
has always been mIsguyernei by the
Beers. Laws are made to fill the peck
cts of the Burghers. The greatest griev-
ance Is the dynamite monopoly. In
iuiaWayo dynamite can be bought for
SO less per ton than in Johannesburg,
and every pound OF dynamite in Bula-
wayU has to be transported by oX-wag-
CONS 400 miles farther into the interl-
or than Johannesburg. That illustrates
one monopoly legisated by the 80 farm
ers. When a poil-taX is levied burgh-
ers are quietly allowed to escape pay
ment while the Ullanders are forced to
pay the tax"
And this Irish Brigade that is to
fight against the English 1t is all bosh.
Tell the anti-Euglish Irish Americans
who want to fight with the Beers that a
Roman Catholic is no better in the
1ransvaal than a Hottentott. A Roman
Catholic, no matter what nationality,
cannot hold the meanest public office
III the governments; he cannot even
serve on the police force. People Of
that religion are only allowed to live in
the Dutcn republic, nothing more"
= " hat can | say III Justification of the
Boers? Well, OF course they are not
the worst people on earth But If
the press of the United States had
printed even little Of the Beers fail
lngs and the grievances of the Utland-
ers | would not have talked ON the sub
ject.
Have Won ever spoken with
any one who has experienced the man
ners of the Beers? They call all Eng
ll7hmen red necks,' and the term is
heard daily in all Boer towns. They
are positively insulting to all foreigners.
The Young Beers ape the English in
dress aad curse them with every breath
They are also heavy drinkers, which il
not the custom with the older genera
ton.
Eou say the question would be set
tied by the Islanders getting out of the
IrauSvaal. Well spoken, but will they
get out +? Iou know they won't Where
3here Is gold there are Engliskmen,
and | may add, Americans They both
sand for progress. The Boer stands
Tor fetroGresSion. Modern civilization,
no matter how Just or unjust, says that
the Boer must go"
The fact is that good deal OF svmpa-
thy has been wasted on the Beers by
ircedom-lovIng people, probably be-
cause their system of government was
o.Igdrthy, where 4 comparatively small
minority rules with an iron hand
With such Il government no civilized
man can have any sympathy. 1t de-
serves 10 perish, as it undoubtedly will
il the near future. But the world will
he the better of, and the Beers them
selves Viii Toe forced to enjoy the bless
ings 81 free government,