The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-19
snApT1n. rUnsnAr. DECEMBER 10
An Enaplre at Stake.

AtAnSe Crest Britain understands that
slln rnnsa put forth her full strength
avnlnnt the South African uprising.
TnA aoppintment Of Lord Roberts as
commander-in-chief, the calling out Of
the entire military reserve and the dis
patch o. another division to the seat
Of war raise this conflict to the rank
o6 the greatest In which England has
ever been involved. They are an an
nouncement to the world Of the serious
ness Of the situation. ana q pledge Of
the tremendous issues involved in the
event
n has come to this; that the integrity
OF the British empire itself isJat stake.
At the outset, It would have cost little
more to concede the Boer demands and
retire from the borders Of the Transvaal
than 1t cost Mr.. Gladstone to follow
the Same course in 1881. It is different
now It 10 . question not only of terri
tory. but OF prsstige. And in the pres
status Of Ensland's affairs and of
feeling among the nations Of Europe.
prestige means empire.
The first danger 10 the loss not mere
ly Of suzerainty over the Transvaal. but
OF all South Africa. For a long time
there has been o sentiment growing
among the Dutch colonists In favor Of
a confederation Of their own. The South
Afrikander movement is obscure, but It
is real. II the Beers are not crushed
losses retrieved, authority re-established
and extended. Natal and the Free state
and Rhodesia and Cape Colony itself
will be swept into the stream. Their un-
expected victories have flied the South
Afrikanders with a belief that their
dream may become a practical reality.
British sovereignty is trembling today
in every portion of South Africa.
A graver danger, perhaps, looks from
the East across the ocean that leads to
india British authority there rests still
upon the popular conviction that her
might is irresistible. The terrible les
son Of the mutiny has not been forgot
ten. But neither have the Indian people
lost the tinct of their peculiar blood.
Secretive, brooding. changeless, they
hold the Briton still an alien and an
enemy. II England were overwhelmed
and driven out Of South Africa, there
would be sleepless nights in India.
where q whisper, running mysteriously
Though the Numbering millions. might
ws&e them to ambitions and deeds not
yet forgotten. It is question of en-
pire Ia india.
The events of the last few weeks have
exhibited the temper and disposition Of
HcUpe. rs invisible handwriting ap-
pears before the fire. Great Britain has
erem1es only upon the continent Be-
tVeen her and France there is the
apcient blood-feud. Germany breaks
: i11O inBolent Joy at the first moment
% hsr repuise. Russia's hatred knows
no bounds. AL of them have waited
their opportunity. All Of them hope and
n9Dst OF them say frankly that 1t is here.
France would avenge the Fashoda af-
fair with her check in Africa. Ger
many would be paramount in Africa and
wrest from England her commercial in
terests In China. Russia would pour
over the Indian borders and make ali
Asia her own. It is the terror Of Eng
lish arms that prevented any alliance
in the past; the memory Of the Crimea,
Of Waterloo. of all the glorious, bloody
fields Of France. England's possessions
would be no safer than China's II she
were proved a weakling. 1t is a ques-
ton Of empire in Europe.
The boundaries of the war with that
little handful Of Dutchmen, cooped In
their inland state. have thus expanded
until their portents fill the worlds hori-
zon. Now as of old 1t is the weakest
thUk uoes to hha WALL No man believes