The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-24
Why Should There Be War in South
Africa?

As the meeting OF the British Cabinet
which took place on Friday was not followed
by an order for the immediate despatch Of a
large military force from England, there
seems to be still chance that war with the
Transvaal may be averted. Time is on the
side Of the Beers, for the opinion is fast
gaining ground In England that the differ
ence between the concessions offered by
President KRtaER and those demanded by
Mr.. CHAMBERSAIN is too inconsiderable to
Justify a recourse to arms.
The Transvaal Government has consented
to enact a law permitting the naturalization
OF aliens after seven years residence. This
Is shorter term than was originally pro-
posed at Blomfontein, and, according to
President KRtaER, the Volksraad could
only with extreme difficulty be induced to
sanction it, for there Is reason to fear that
the Dutch-speaking element Of the popula-
ton might be outvoted by the aliens, who
would be able to prove seven years resi-
dence in the South African Republic. 1t Ia
true that, even should this apprehension be
justified, the newly entranchised citizens
could not dominate the Yolksraad, because
only minor fraction OF the seats in that
body would be allotted to the gold-mining
district. They could, however, control the
election Of those functionaries who are
chosen by the vote Of all the citizens, and
they might carry a plebscite in favor of
annexation to Great Britain, II it were con-
ceivable that the Pretoria authorities would
permit vote on such a question to be
taken. Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN, on his part has
insisted that the term of residence pre-
scribed for naturalization shall not exceed
five years, and there is, as yet, no indication
OF a willingness on the part OF any OF his
colleagues to recede from this demand.
IfEngland makes war upon the Transvaal,
it will be solely for the difference between
seven years and five years. considered az
the term OF residence required for citizen
ship, President KRt'GER having agreed that
the details OF the naturalization law shall
be discussed at joint conference, and that
all other questions in dispute shall be sub
mitted to arbitration, the board to be COM
posed half OF British subjects and half Of
citizens Of the South African Republic.
Under the circumstances, 1t Is hard to
believe that the English people, once thor
oughly enlightened as to the facts, will
countenance war in which they could
reap no honor from victory, while defeat
would mean humiliation and disgrace.
No reasonable man can read the text of
the convention concluded in 1884 between
Great Britain and the South African Repub-
lie, and deny that Sir WILLIAM HARooURT
Is right in maintaining that the former
countrys claim OF suzerainty is restricted
to supervision of the Transvaal's relations
to foreign powers and does not warrant
any interference with its internal govern
ment II British subjects are oppressed in
johannesburg. Great Britain has the same
right in international law to protest that
she would have were they oppressed in New
York; and. II the protest were UNDECIDED.
she would have legal as we'll as moral
right to try to secure redress by force.