The labor world., 1899-10-28
n HE EXPECTED has happened i
! tho Transvaa1 President Kruge

IN Hue EAPECIED mas ndppeHeu H.
the Transvaal. President Kruger
4 has declared war against Great
Britain in order that he may strike be
fore the British can assemble an over
whelming and crushing force.
With all lines of cable communica-
ton from South Africa under British
control, the public need not expect to
hear anything favorable to the Beers
for weeks to come.
The Beers will make their struggle
for liberty and the possession OF their
own land without even the sympathy
of this country. It is stated that the
president "does not think it expedient
to offer mediation because he has re-
ceived no intimation that it would be
acceptable to both parties. OF course
mediation would not be acceptable to
Great Britain, but the Transvaal has
intimated that it would appreciate the
offices of this country.
Great Britain is approaching catas-
trophe which may take from her many
of her possessions and reduce her to a
thi.:d rate power, she is by no means
invincible.
The Beers are better marksmen
than the British. The Beers are in
their own country. They are hardy
and used to exposure. They can live
on dried beef and parched corn. Great
Britain will have considerable trouble
in massing her troops to fight the
Beers. She will find her soldiers as
helpless before Boer tactics as our SOL
1iarC in tho i'm cr1oc nf Tho DILL
ippines. She will shortly find herself
fighting not only the people of the
Transvaal but also the Africanders Of
Cape Colony and Natal. She has not
only to fear the loss of South Africa,
but just as soon as she encounters de-
feat there she will be set upon by the
continental powers who have long
score to settle and have been waiting
fitting opportunity. Should France,
Germany and Russia seize this oppor-
tunity to demand their share of the
spoils of empire which England has ac-
cumulated, she would emerge from the
conflict third rate power, compar-
able to Denmark.
To guard against such a defeat it is
reported from Washington that Sails
bury has sought and consummated a
secret alliance with Mckinley. It is
stated the deal has been made, and
its ramificationse are deeper and wider
than has ever been charged. The one
weak excuse for this surrender is the
alleged interference Of Great Britain to
prevent a coalition of continental
powers against the United States and
in favor of Spain during the recent
Spanish war. That coalition was never
contemplated. Great Britain rendered
us no service. Her whole idea in the
alliance is to make the United States
render her service and give nothing in
return. 1t was Great Britain's policy
to so involve the United States in the
Asiatic squabble that in the end this
country would be obliged to ASK her
support. She has not succeeded. This
country is greater and bigger than
she expected, and the end of the Phil
ippine trouble is in sight if, as ac-
cording to late dispatches, a commits
sion from Aguinaldo is on the way to
the United. States to present new
terms for ending hostilities and recon-
structing the government Of the ISL
ands. Those terms are 50 liberal to this
government that the republican ad-
ministration cannot refuse and expect
to remain long in power.