Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-04
ARE WE INTERESTED &?

on account of the disaster to the British
troops in the Transvaal is scarcely less in
tent than in London itself. The English
are our allies at heart even in the absence
of any formal compact, and the greatest
sympathy is felt for them at Washington,
especially in official circles. But we
have an interest in the possible conse-
ouences in this disaster, which is some
thing more than sentimental. Should the
Beers success now or hereafter lead to
Intervention by any of the powers which
are sympathetic with the Kruger govern
ment, the United States might become
involved in great complications. 1t is not
likely that our part in the matter of inter
vention, should it occur, would involve
us directly in South Africa; but the first
point of attack by any of the former
powers would probably be upon her east
ern interest, and this would involve us at
once. Our interest, if not our obligation,
compels us to insist upon the eastern situ-
alton, that of the Orient, remaining undls-
turbed, and the power of our navy would
be used to prevent disturbance of the
condition there, the capture Of territory
and the interference of commerce.
Washington correspondent of the Allan
Ia Journal.
Although many people, especially
in the south, might be inclined to look
upon the above as idle speculation,
there is reason to believe that it is
really significant. We are fully pre-
pared to believe that next to the Brit.
ish government officials, the United
States government officials have the
greatest concern in the South African
situation.
For the reason that it is natural for
healthy minded people to sympathize
with the under dog in the fight, and
probably also because many believe
that the Beers have right on their
side, popular sympathy in this coun-
try is with the Beers. Of course, the
idea that this country should assist
Great Britain against the Beers, or
that any such assistance would be de-
sired, is absurd. Still this does not
prevent the situation from being ex:
tremely serious.
This country, if involved at all, will,
as is suggested by the correspondent,
be involved through the possible inter-
vention of European nations in the
quarrel between Great Britain and
the Transvaal. The possibility of in
tervention referred to depends on con-
tingencies that are reasonably clear
but in no wise dependent upon the
right or wrong of the cause for which
the British and Beers are fighting.
There is no doubt of the fact that
both Russia and France are very jeal-
Gus of commercial and other advan-
tages held over them by the British in
various parts of the world. Russia is
especially concerned in China, and
France in Central Africa. Germa-
ny has also been nursing grievances ;
but she seems to have been appeased,
at least for the moment. And it is
this jealousy that will lead to inter-
vention, if intervention there be.
The principal contingency upon
which intervention depends will be the
developments of the near future in
South Africa. The recent successes of
the Beers have been received in Rus
sia and France with the most intense
qualification, and these countries are
hoping that further successes may be
of nature to call out still larger arm
les, eventually placing Great Britain
in situation where she will not be 80
we'll able as now to withstand attacks
elsewhere. If this condition of affairs
develops, then Russia and France may
be expected to strike.
Here comes in the concern of the
United States. No one who kept up
with the developments of the Spanish
war could have failed to have noticed
the close alliance that England main
tanned with this country. 1t is fact
that several agreements for interven-
tion fell through because England gave
it to be plainly understood that if in
tervention were attempted, she would
be on the side of the United States.
1t is also a fact that all during the
war, British officials gave this country
the most important information as to
movements of the Spanish fleet, etc.
The evidence of the alliance that de-
veloped in the complication with Ger
many out at Manila was unmistakable.
If there should be Intervention in
the South African trouble, the first
blow, of course, would be struck at
British interests in the east-China
perhaps. The American and British
interests have become Identical there,
and blow at British interests there
would be a blow at American interests.