The San Francisco call., 1899-11-20

tremely serious. and In view Of the posi-
hihties that may arise / want 10 give you
2 personal outline Of the conditions. and
possibly. ] may want your intercession
with the State Department
Since Mr. Chamberlaln's dispatch 10
this Government asking II 10 unite IN a
5ont inquiry as 10 the suitability OF the
franchise law proposed by the Transvaal.
the Government has been making most
active preparations for war Mules have
been purchased IN large numbers. arms
issued 20 the burPhers and provision made
for the transportation II troops and muni-
uons ot war boy rail and wagon. on the
English side preparations have been GO
ing on for some time. and ! understand
that troops are ready 20 enter the Trans
vaal from Natal on the east and from
Cape Town on the south. No sane man
questions the result of a war. II England
undertakes 10 fight the Transvaal she
must conquer or lose an OF South Africa.
] do not FOR moment believe that Eng
land desires 10 destroy the republican
form ~ government % the Transvaal. II
IS stated from MANY sources that the war
VIII he one of conquest, dictated by Great
Butaln's lust for land. and that the
wealth % the Transvaal is at the bottom
81 the whole thing.
TN my opinion there are deeper reasons.
Great Britain is unquestionably the para
mount power ln South Africa. Cape Town
SIS one ~ her most important strategicai
points; She is suzcrain of the Transvaal
10y the London convention. For years the
Transvaal has been trying 20 repudiate
that suzera!nty and 20 establish itself as
an absolutely independent power In this
endeavor the Dutch element in Cape Col
ony, as well as ln the Orange Free State
and Natal. has strongly sympathized. and
"a ha
South Africa Is seriously menaced. II is
not now question Of seizing territory.
but one Of maintaining the prestige OF
her Gag.
Il DO not desire % see the independ-
ence ~ the country DESTROYED. and in this
j share the views n many Englishmen
here, but the political condition ;hat ex-
lsts Is intolerable. 4 large majority Of
Beers DO not trouble themselves with DO
litical affairs. They live on their farms
and accept the mandates OF their field
cornefs as gospel. hut the governing
classes. those who have partaken of the
loaYes and fishes 81 Office and who are
responsible Tor the burdens laid upon the
foreign population are. in my opinion.
rotten and corrupt
THE mines have life OF fifty or sixty
years. az least. and the majority OF for
eigners now here viii live and die here.
and their families remain after them. II
will be as in the early days OF California.
when men went West expecting TO make
fortunes and return home. but instead
thousands OF them settled on the coast
and their descendants remain there 10
This day. The Boer Is unprogressive and
Ignorant Before the elements now IN
This country his power must give way.
either peaceahly or by force Of arms.
Il DO not think that American residents
here viii leave the country on account OF
war. nor do I suppose that they or other
aliens VIII be compelled 10 take up arms
10 defend the Transvaai. although the
Nolksraad has already adopted as part
of its constitution one article requiring all
inhabitants 10 fight FOR the Trnnsvaal II
called upon 20 do so. Should be called
under this article I shall. Of course. re-
fuse 20 go. as viii most other foreigners
in this country.
Most Of the women and children have
been sent out of the country. In the
event ~ any complication requiring the
Intervention of the United States Govern
ment ] shall cable you. and I know that
can rely on your doing all in your power
for your countrymen I'm this part OF the
world"