The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-10-08

London, Oct. Judging from the re-
ports from South. Africa, a state of war
practically exists between Great Brit
ain and the Transvaal. This seems al
most paradoxical in conjunction with
the fact that the British diplomatic
agent. Mr. Conyngham Green, still re-
mains at Pretoria and the further fact
that the negotiations continue.
A solution of this apparent paradox
probably lies in an understanding of
the curious relations between the two
governments. Great Britain is not like
~ TO make a formal declaration of war
against what she considers a dependent
nation, the process being a mere issue
of orders to the military forces to re-
store the state of sovereignty which
she alleges originally existed. Were
England similarly at loggerheads with
q power recognized by her as her equal,
pride and precedent would some time
ago have compelled her to break off
diplomatic negotiations.
1t is This legend OF suzerainty that
enables her to palaver without loss of
self respect, and, at the same time, to
run a good chance of placing the onus
of beginning hostilities upon the Beers
or falling in that. to delay action until
she has in the field a sufficient force to
overrun the Transvaal.
1t Looks Like War.
This is the only ground on which it
Is Dossible to reconcile the government 5
passive reception of palpably hostile
acts on the part OF the Beers; for 1t is
now impossible to believe that the
Transvaal forces are massing merely
for defensive purposes. Thus war APP
pears to be the only possible outcome.
If the Beers are determined to partici-
pate in the conflict. hostilities are only
a question Of days. If England is all
lowed to take her own time, then two
months may elapse before the first blow
IS struck.
Though the week has produced no
NEGOTIATIONS tending to throw light
upon the merits of the case, il is evil
dent that negotiations had not ceased
SO far as diplomatic correspondence is
concerned. The pith of the whole dis
pute, however, is daily becoming clear
err. The Beers are thoroughly convinced
that their freedom is menaced, and
England is convinced that her suprenl-
acy in South Africa is threatened. This
constitutes an impasse. against which
pacific measures can scarcely be ef-
fective.
Attitude of Other Powers.
As the possibility of war increases.
British conjecture as to the unfriendly
attitude OF other European powers in
creaSes. Reference is frequently made
to probable Russian aggression in Asia,
while it is thought that France, in the
event of hostilities, is sure to become
active in northern Africa Interference
at the seat of war itself is not contem-
plated, for the apples which France and
Russia wish to pick do not grow in
South Africa.
Delagoa bay is naturally closely
watched in this connection. The Ger
mar press is making capital out of the
report that Great Britain is sacrificing
her friendship with the United States
in the Samoan affair. in order to gain
Gernany's support in the settlement at
DelaGoa bay.
Mary officers believe that President
Kruger's recent seizure of gold is an act
of war, or is at least justifiable only
on the theory that a state Of war ex-
lists. The London manager of the
Bank of South African Republic-the
Institution whose specie was comman-
deered-takes this view. He said to the
representative of the Associated Press
today:
Kruger's Seizure of Gold.
u do not consider the seizure of
great significance and / can scarcely
blame President Kruger if he believes
his country is threatened. / do not
expect any more gold TO come out Of
the TransVaal until the crisis is ended. -
The governments are much criticised
by many Of the papers of their own
following, as well as by the military
assemble for hardness in sending
out the army corps. some going so far
as to say that if Majuba hill repeats
itself, Lord Salisbury will have only
himself to blame The admiralty is
also coming in for a share OF criticism
over the length of time required to get
transports. Incompetence and bung-
iirg are alleged. Lieutenant J. c. Col
well. United States naval attache in
london, when asked regarding this
charge. said:
i believe that the admiralty has
done spiendidiy, fully maintaining the
reputation OF the British navy. / am
fairly acquainted with the details of
the present operations, and / believe
they are proof of the great advantage
TO be gained by having the navy con
troll the transportation of troops
Real War Seems No Nearer.
SO far as the facts go the commence
ment OF actual hOstilities between
Great Britain and the Transvaal seems
no nearer, although it must be adj
matted that a new element OF danger
has arisen in the evaporation caused
throughout the British colonies in
South Africa by the stories of brutal
treatment OF refugees by the Beers.
Whether correct or not. the reports of
outrageS upon women and children are
being accepted in many quarters hith-
<rto sncredulous, as confirming the an