The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-07
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY As MEDIATOR.

There seems to be quite a movement on
foot I'm the East to induce President McKin-
ley to offer his friendly services as mediator
patch from New York says a petition to this
effect has been signed by large number of
persons. including federal judges. Governors
of States, presiding officers Of State Legis-
latures. senators and representatives in Con-
gress. eminent ecclesiastical dignitaries and
other prominent citizens. An effort to Sc
cure approval of the movement from abroad
elected some interesting replies. The secre-
tary of the Orange Free State, which is
making common cause with the Transvaal,
cabled for his government acknowledging
American sympathy and stating that the
President would welcome the mediation of
the United States. Premier Schriener. of
the British South African colony of Cape
Colony. cabled his cordial Endorsement of
the movement for mediation. From this it
appears that the Orange Free State and
Cape Colony would welcome mediation. No
direct message has been received from the
Transvaal government, but as it has pro-
posed arbitration il would doubtless favor
mediation. The fact that within few days
a well-known American citizen, Gen. James
r. O'Beirne of New York, has been APP
pointed by President Kruger commissioner
extraordinary to the United States suggests
that very likely he may be empowered to
act in this matter, or at least to express the
views of the Transvaal government in re-
gard to mediation.
The expressions from England are few and
guarded. As far as known there is none
from any person i'm public life. The Arch
bishop of Canterbury. primate of all Eng
land and first peer of the realm ranking
next to royalty. cables that 1.-The Archbishop
OF Canterbury has no claim TO represent the
public opinion of England. but it is clear
that Englishmen feel strongly that the uit-
landers are ill-treated and it is our duty to
protect them" This Is guarded and nom
committal. with an intima ton that British
blood is up. The Archbishop of York, the
next highest prelate of the English Church,
cabled: While earnestly desiring to avoid
the horrors OF war, I do not feel myself
qualified to express an opinion as TO whether
generally acceptable in England" This also
is guarded. Archbishop Croke. of Ireland
would avert war by all honorable means
while Cardinal Logue, OF Ireland, says while
he is most anxious for peace he cannot say
whether mediation would be acceptable to
England or not
From all this il appears that pretty
strong pressure will be brought TO bear on
the President 10 induce him to offer his
friendly services as mediator and the matter
may be presented TO him in such a way as
to challenge. II not some action. at least
an answer. No doubt the South African re-
publics would welcome The mediation Of any
dlsinterested ruler, as would peace-lovng
people everywhere. But the question is,
could President Mckinley. with propriety,
terder mis- services in this behalf and how
would the offer probably be treated by Great
Britain? To make such an offer with the
certainty or strong probability that II would
be rejected by one party to a controversy