New-York tribune., 1899-06-14
THE TRANSVAAL QUESTION.
r-xGI.AND'S PLEDGE UNDER THE
rREATY-THE SAMOAN IMBRoGIIo-
TOO MUCH CHATTER ABOUT
ANGLO-SAAONIl
the Editor Of The Tribune.

ro the Editor Of The Tribune
cir. The e@ort of The Tribune to condone and
,,s,d England's refusal TO orbitrate the Trans
ii difficulties cannot have weight with Ameri-
ssn citizens who are acquainted with the facts at
s.ua A "suzeraAn power" The Tribune saws
ssces not admit arbitration between itself and a
rassal State. Now. the Transvaal Is in a state OF
ssalage TO Great Britain"
rnder the treaty of fifteen years ago England
redged itself to an attitude of in
ne internal government and domestic affairs OF
,hs Boer Republic. provided the imperial Govern
snt should obtain suzerainty over It's foreign pol
s.v and International relations. Lord Derby and
Mr. Gladstone have so interpreted this document
ard there never has been any question as 10 its
exact purpor Without entering into discussion
~ the honesty dishonesty OF the Outlanders'
Grievances with many OF which | sympa thize |
an Of the opinion that President Krtiger has ample
justification for DEMANDING before these griev-
suces are remedied. that England's claim TO su-
,eainty under the convention Of 1884 should be sub
raltted 10 the arbitration OF some foreign Power
AS your special London correspondent truly says:
ssThe old situation IS maintained by the require
rents OF national honor and an explicit pledge
against interference in the domestic affairs OF the
Dutch Republic"
am not aware that 1.-The American colonists in
the Transvaal are probably the feared and
hated OF all Outlanders.' True three or four
Americans connected with English mining com
psnies dishonored this Republic by taking part,
under direction Of their employees. in the shameful
.JamesOn raid But the good name of our coun-
,ry or It's aw-abiding citizens temporarily In the
Tansvas has not suffered any reproach in the esti-
rnatioO Of the Boer on that account. The attempt
Of a section of the American press In the East TO
induce this Government to bolster up Britains
policy in Asia. Samoa and in South Africa is cal
euated 70 have an entirely opposite effect. The
dlscreditable performances which have recently
taken place in Samoa should be object lesson to
Us TO De extremely careful in regard Identifying
ourselves with Engand's imperialistic programme.
Under the Treaty of Berlin. the three Powers. the
United States, Germany and Great Britain. solemn
+ bound themselves not TO interfere with the
tnomy OF SamOa-vZ.. that there should be no in
tsrference with the natural rights OF the Samoans
70 elect their king. BY vote Of something
Ike 1900 10 1000 the Samoans chose the legitimate
heir Mataafa. the old chieftain immortalzed by
Robert Louis Stevenson. Notwithstanding that this
election was lawfully conducted, Evangelist Cham
bers the Chief Justice. under the influence OF the
1cndon Missionary Society and the British Consul,
;nduced admiral to open fire upon the unfortu-
nate natives shed the blood Of some four sailors
sud sacrificed our National honor In order foist
& puppet the throne who not even of the
soyal race. The Tribune epplauded this infamy at
the time. but have observed Of late disposition
Cn lis part 10 await the report of the Commission
before Il commits itself any further.
I have always advocated strong and dignihed
foreign policy by this Government. but I desire
that that policy should be directed from Washing
ton. and not from London. One OF the chief charges
that will be raised against the present Administra
7ion IN the coming National is that II has
permitted England to influence the foreign policy
@: the Government. Unfortunately, persons and
Eewspapers supposed to be IN the confidence OF the
Administration have lent color 70 this supposton.
The sudden worship of everything English. the cry
pf identity of interests. the clamor for common
spheres of influence IN the Orient are largely. 10
be found in the Republican press, and the sander-
attacks in the interest Of England upon friendly
Continental powers appear III the same organs OF
As a result of the dwelling chorus of prattle
and chatter about England saving US from ae-
struction In the late var. Anglo-Saxonia contra
and similar buncombe. indulged in by small but
noisy group Of persons We have placed some OF
parerit hostility 20 Us "The most-favored- nation
Tolcyi' Will naturally evoke jealousy and antago-
nism We also arousing disunion among the
and we And as a result Of the attempt to exploit
the so-caiied "Anglo-S saxon" race. that the organ
izations Of American-1rish and the German Amer
Ssrpiacabt nif facio1 3 Which Is asserting the SUI
Yreulacy Of English influence and ideas in the Re
Saxon Saxon AI than 'tG American British sympathy viii
be dearly purchased at the expense OF revival OF
sectional and racial strife in our country The
Democratic politicians have not been slow TO avail
Oh the ssa0n InG cha2r the Ad
ninistration with being in sympathy with Great
This was the keynote OF the speeches delivered by
the Democratic leaders at the various Danquets
az Jefferson.
I am personally aware that successful at
tempt is being made 10 divert large masses OF the
German and Irish voters from the RepuDncan
parties solely upon this issue. The alleged Brit
ish support of policy in the philippines mas
strengthened more than anything else the ranks or
the anti-exp pansOnists, while the patronizng air
Of supervision which the English press assumes 10
exercise over foreign policy encourages that
opposition and is insult TO the voters or this
country. " -
I write you. Mr. Editor. a consistent sup
porter Of the Administration as patr1otlc Amer
lean and as an eXpansionst, but believe tndt
the party that would for a moment be suspected
of too intimate relations with the British torelgn
Once would be buried beyond the hope or resur-
rection. In view of these facts, object 70 Ihe
Tribunes editorials the TransVaal question ana
on the Samoan imbrOglio. and ! am or the opll.
ion that the sooner some responsible member OF
the Administration makes an address repuolatlEs
the suggestion OF alliance with any power, the
better IL would be only for our party, but our
common country. II would put a stop once Tor
ali 10 British intrigue and silence the vaporings
in England and America. The responsive gusil-
ings have become nauseating and the whole SUD
sect fast approaching the Irritating stage. But
above all IL would decrease the elements or un-
easiness and distrust in regard 10 us which pre-
vail the Continent and restore old ties or friend
ship which have undoubtedly been weakened by
The sycophancy and foolishness OF many Of our
own people. Very truly yours .-...
7. ST. JOHN CAFFNEY.
New-York. June Y. 1899.