The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-05

ono OF the most coEent arguments for the
light Of the South African Republic to
MakC its own naturalization laws without
submitting to interference on the part of
he British Government is contributed over
he signature of "a Diplomat" to the
september number Of the North American
Pcrielc. 1t Is not so effective, however as
the public letter addressed by Mr. FRED
ERICK HARRISON to Lord SALISBURY because
1t pays less attention to the fundamental
point in dispute, whether, namely, the right
OF the Transvaal to prescribe the terms on
which British aliens may be naturalzed
was not limited at the time when the
partial independence of that people was
acknowledged. If it was so limited, most
of the vigorous defence of the Beers made
by "A Diplomat is irrelevant.
1t is perfectly true that there is no theory
OF international law which imposes upon
any independent State the obligation of
"niranchising aliens, however great NAV
he their services to the country in which
they reside, however great may be their
contributions to its exchequer or however
marked may he their superiority over the
natives. That is matter as to which
sovereign State is recognized as the exclu
7ive judge. The fact that the resident aliens
may constitute majority is a fact with
which outside countries have nothing to
10. When Hawaii was independent rela-
lively insignificant number OF white men
withheld the franchise from tens of thou
sands OF Chinese and Japanese. In the United
Kingdom, up to 1892, minority Of adult
males monopolized the franchise In India
handful of Englishmen govern three hun
lred millions of natives 1t is also true that
the case for the minority in the Transyaal
5, from one point Of view, stronger than is
he case for the minority in India, because.
IN the former instance, authority does not
proceed from the subiugation of the major
lty, hut is based upon original occupation
n the land. 1t may be even contended
mat, not onlyhave the minority in an indie
pendent State the legal right to shut out
resident aliens from the franchise, but, II
the resident aliens would constitute a
majority, the minority is justified In keep
nE them DISTINGUISHED by the right of self
preservation.
TIL" plea of "A Diplomat" is based on the
fundamental assumption that the Beers
POSSESS all the rights of sovereignty be-
longing to al independent State, except
those expressly reserved to England as
-uHcran power by the Convention of 1884;
and upon the further assumption that the
rlEht to prescribe naturalization laws was
not waived or in any wise impaired in any
Concessions which, by that convention, the
liurrs made to Great Britain This is. OF
'"nrsr. the vital point at issue. That the
light in question was limited at the time
when the partial independence of the Beers
vas acknowledged was distinctly asserted
II tine Queens speech read on the recent
proroEation of Parliament, for the Queen
Vas THEN made to say that the South Afri-
IAN Republic has broken faith as to the
conditions under which her subjects were
permitted to dwell in the Transvaal.
II is precisely on this ground that Mr..
CHAMBERLAIN in his Birmingham manifesto
based his right to insist upon a material
Improvement in the political status of Brit
!sh resident aliens in the South African
Republic He pointed out that in 1884,
when tho convention concluded in that year
was under discussion, President KRtGER
was asked by the representative OF Great
Britain what treatment would be given to
British subjects in the Transvaal. Presi-
dent KRUGER answered. "All strangers