The San Francisco call., 1899-12-05
THE AFRICAN ISSUE.

THE ghastly death roll OF the Boer war length
ems with each day Mr. 10 Chamberlain is
opening his mouth frequently and putting
his foot in it every opening Mr.. Choae and the rest
OF those who represent and misrepresent both Eng
land and America are saying their several says, but
nothing has occurred to justify England's assault on
the two republics and nothing can justify any warmth
toward her in the matter from any official source in
this country AS we have said before, Mr.. Chamber
lain and Cecil Rhodes succeeded admirably in con-
fusing the mind OF the world as to Englands suzeran
rights in the Transvaal Those rights practi-
cally but little more than the United States would
have under the Monroe doctrine. The Transvaal was
simply barred from making treaties with foreign ma
tons without the approval of Great Britain Mr.
Chamberlain has stretched this sole right into claim
that England was suzerain in the internal affairs or
the Transvaal and could therefore rghtully demand
changes in the domestic statutes OF naturalization
the extent OF giving subjects OF Great Britain
a Transvaal franchise without forswearing their al
legiance to her
The awful bloodshed in the is in behalf Of this
claim. For that the murder OF the two republics IS
proposed For that the attempt is made to array the
strong with the strong the mighty with the mighty,
against the weak destroy them For that Is told
in European capitals that the people OF this republic
desire the downfall OF the republics in South Africa
The claim is lie and it is the most pitiful sight
OF the century TO brave men dying on the veldt
in defense OF a lie
Mr.. John Hays Hammond has appeared in this
country, apparently the mouthpiece OF Cecil
Rhodes to instruct Americans in line with the fan
tastic fasehood which Mr.. Chamberlain has wrought
into war, which is bereaving hundreds of British
homes and will bring the holidays OF this December
in sorrow instead OF JOY.
When Mr. Hammond invaded the South African
Republic under the leadership OF Dr. Jameson he was
caught. Jameson got away and retired to London,
where he was received with all the honors OF hero
Public opinion in Europe eXasperated by his
raid on and invasion of a country with which Great
Britain was at peace that the Government found some
concession necessary and therefore proceeded to try
him. His case was heard by jury and he was con-
viced and received mild sentence. The Lord Chief
Justice OF Great Britain presided the trial. and in
his charge to the jury said: The Queens Govern
ment recognizes the complete independence and
autonomy OF the South African Republic, subject only
to the restrictions OF the convention OF 1884. to the
effect that the South African Republic should have
power TO come into any treaties without this coun-
t-ys consent" There is the admission and proof,
from the highest judicial authority in the British
empire, that Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain has brought on
disastrous war in defense OF lie.
The demands he made on the Transvaal were not
justified in the suzerain rights of Great Britain. The
South African Republic having. in the language of
the Lord Chief Justice, complete independence and
autonomy" could make the period of probation to
citizenship fifty years, she chose, she could deny
il 10 Engishmen altogether, do to Chinese.
What American far forget the principles of
his own Government as to cheer England in such a
cause while she tries to wipe that complete in
dependence and autonomy" which she acknowledged
in the most solemn wav two wears apo7