The San Francisco call., 1899-10-09
THE TRANSVAHL SITUATION.

X ! OTWITHSTANDING the alarming reports OF
| y imminent danger OF war in the Transvaal which
come from South Africa, the declarations OF
British statesmen the subject continue reassuring
1t is that troops and munitions of war are being
rapidly forwarded the Transvaal frontier but the
powers on both sides which make for peace are
strong, and unless something sudden and unexpected,
like the sinking OF the Maine, should to pre-
cipitate conflict, the crisis may yet be passed in
safety.
There is very strong peace party in Great Britain
and it has been actively at work on a campaign OF
education during the last two or three weeks. One
OF the most eminent among them Mr. John Morley
who represents Scotch constituency in Parliament
recently addressed his constituents on the issue and
pointed out clearly the folly OF the course which the
jingoes pursuing. Quoting the saying OF Dean
Swift Il have never heard that ten armed to the
teeth are not a match for in his shirt, he
assumed that in the conflict the British would be
successful, but argued that such success would be
improbable at present and dangerous in the future
Warming to his subject he said: The British and
the Dutch have got to live together in South Africa
Fuse them Do not say to one race You are to be
the top and the other shall be at the bottom. No
Let there be fusion, not paramountcy Are you going
to fight them for paramountcy when YOU know apart
from its guilt. it only lead to new burdens and
A war OF that kind will not be war with honor; it
will be with deep dishonor and what mock
cry will such make OF all the professions that
have been made, emphatcay and in capital letters,
within the last few months especially upon behalf OF
peace! What a farce-what a hypocritical farce-to
send your important representatives to The Hague
to try whether something cannot be done to introduce
better principles into the relations between states!
What farce, what an example for this country,
which has hitherto vaunted and boasted-and Justly
boasted-hat is in the front OF great moral pacific
and progressive causes! What an example for us to
set to the armed camps and the scheming Chancel-
leres OF Continental Europe What shadow cast
upon the reign OF the Queen! Yes empire they say
empire. Yes, but do not want pirate empire
In addition to the moral aspects OF the controversy
there are material considerations which have for
some time past been strongly affecting the British
mind. 1t has been estimated that if peace be con
nued the gold output OF the Transyaal mines will in
the coming year amount to about $Iooooo,ooo There
is already felt something like gold stringency in
Europe, and with the venture of providing a gold
standard OF currency for India the British inanciers
are not inclined to lightly shut off the bullion they
now have a right to look for from the land Of the
Beers
In addition to the valuable gold export the Trans
vaal has an annual import trade amounting to more
than $Ioooooooo and the British have had the lions
share OF it A would mean loss therefore to
manufacturers andmerchans we'll as to gold miners
All OF these items being taken into account by the
British people and by British statesmen. Joseph
Chamberlain has been posing imperialist of the
military type but by birth and training he is trades
man He knows the value OF industry and com
merce 1t is not likely that he will venture to run
counter to all the interests with which he has been
1OOO he thern Of he
forces both sides the promise OF peace is there
fore good. Great Britain would of course like to
dominate the Transvaal but she is hardly willing to
+IaO