The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-19
WE WILL NOT INTERVENE.
ATTITUDE OF THIS GoVERNMENT
TOWARD THE BORR WAN.


II VIII Not Become Fsrty to Intervention,
but VIII Che.rfuiiy Use Its Good Omoes
II Formally Requested TO Do 30 by
Both Great Britain and the Transvaai.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1s.-It is believed here
that none Of the European powers will attempt
to interfere between Great Britain and the
South African Republic. with view to putting
an end 10 the war. until the attitude OF the
United States toward such course has been as
certaned IL Is said. also. that there will proba-
bly, be no Intervention OF the powers unless
this Government assents to Il. The policy OF
the United States has been determined.
and there Is no intention OF receding
from IT, This Government will not become
a party to intervene In any cireum stances
likely to occur. II. however. both Great Britain
and tho Transvaal should formally request the
United States Government to tender its good
offlces to bring about u settlement OF their
difficulties. II would cheerfully comply. This
Government IL preserving an attitude Of strict
neutrality In the struggle. aud while drawn
into closer relations with Great Britain by be-
coming the representative OF British interests
in the Transvaal for the period OF the war. the
friendly official relations OF the United States
and the South African Republic have not
changed.
The only present chance OF changing these
friendly relations lies In the attitude OF the
Beers toward the United States Consul at Pre-
torIa In connection with his efforts. made at
the request OF the British Government. to
amsliorate the condition OF the English prison
ers among the Beers. by distributing to them
money with which to purchase tobacco and
other things counted as delicacies. and to re-
lieve the anxiety OF the relatives and friends OF
the prisoners by sending lists OF those 10 the
custody Of the Beers and statements OF the
condition OF the sick and wounded. The scant
courtesy which the Transvaal authorities have
shown the United States Consul at Pretoria in
his endeavor 70 secure a revocation Of the de-
cision that the care OF prisoners was a military
matter with which he had nothing to do. has
caused some feeling IN official circles here. but
the Government wthholds Its judgment until
the particulars are at hand.
From the meagre Information received BY
the inference ia drawn that In reyoEins rs ann am
nouncod policy not to furnish llsts OF prison.
ers the TIansyaal doveeInmept declined to
recognize the American Consul In the matter.
from the Var 81 r Ss f B2an
authorities agreed 10 perm permit him to distribute
money or ,delIcacies among tho British pris-
2ners. and i is presumed that they did not.
The reason Tor this practical refusal to rccog-
nize the United States as the representative OF
British interests is not known here. hut II Ia
80 Iu huu practice tnat
some nations placed in the attitude In which
the United states have been placed IL would DO
regarded as an affront.
The present Intention 81 the Govern ment It
10 understood. is to overlook what may be re-
garded elsewhere as slight. in the desire to
seryea humanitarian purpose in the Trims
wal. ana also because the action Of the Boer
authorities may not be fully undo rstood or may
result from rem misarprehensoa OF the position
African conflict. An effort to have u clear
understanding on all matters affecting that
position will be made. II Is not going too far
to say. however. that policy on ths part OF the
South African Republic that i'm plies a contempt
for the Humanitarian mission which this Cow
eminent, through tts re present ative at Pretoria
Is seeking to ful0l. will bring matters to such
point that tho united States, 20 preserve their
their representative from Pretoria.