The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-17
THE BoERs ARE FIGHTING ENG
LAND FOR THE SAME REA-
son WASHINGTON
FOUGHT IT.
McKlNLEY's CAMPAIGN SPEAKING IN WEST
The Cabinet Officers are Rather lndiscreet. The
Treasury Helps Wall Street. Croker's
Move. The Censorship Said
to be Abolished.
to be Abolished.

Washington. d. c., October 16.-(Spe-
cial.)-I'he expected has happened in the
Transvaal President Kruger has de-
clared war against Great Britain in
order that he may strike before the
British can assemble an overwhelming
and crushing force.
With all lines of cable communica-
tion from South Africa under British
control, the public need not expect to
hear anything favorable to the Beers
for weeks to come. But the prediction
is here made with all emphasis that for
the next month the Beers will sweep
over the British outposts in Natal and
Cape Colony with almost unbroken
strides.
The Beers will make their struggle
for liberty and the possession of their
own land without even the sympathy or
this country. I'm an official statement
from the State Department, it is learned
that the President does not think il ex-
pedient to offer mediation, because ne
has received no intimati0n that II would
be acceptable to both parties.
OF course mediation would not be ac-
cepfable to Great Britain. bnt the
Transvaal has intimated that il would
appreciate the good offices OF this coun-
try to avert war and yet secure some
deliverance from the oppression Of Great
Britain.
The secret understanding with Great
Britain is the most weighty reason why
Mckinley cannot interfere to even give
moral support to a country lighting for
the same freedom that our own Colonies
sought from the domination of Great
Britain But it is also possible that the
Administration sees the absurdity OF
offering to mediate in the Transyaai
matter when it is engaged in the blsi-
ness of subjugating the F'ilipinos. who
are also fighting for liberty and the
right to govern their own country III
their own way.
Great Britain is approaching catas-
trophe which may take from her many
of her possessions and reduce her to a
third rate power. Sne is by no means
invincible The Beers are better marks
men than the British. The Beers are in
their own country. They are hardy
and used to exposure. They can live
on dried beef and parched corn. Great
Britain will have considerable trouble
Ill uldeSlHS u1I lI0Ups 10 light iue DOCAc,
She will find her soldiers as helpless
before Boer tactics as our soldiers are
in the jungle Of the Philippines She
win shortly find herself fighting not
only the people Of the Transvaal bur
also the AfriSanders of Cape Colony
and Natal She has not only to fear
the loss of South Africa, but just as
soon as she encounters defeat there. she
will lie set upon by the Continental
powers who have a long score TO settle
and have been waiting a fitting 0ppor-
tunity. Should France, Germany and
Russia seize this opportunity to demand
their share of the spoils of empire which
England has accumulated, she would
emerge from the conflict a third rate
power comparable to Denmark.
TO guard against such a defeat has
Salisbury sought and consummAfed a
secret alliance with Mckinley The deal
has been made and its ramifications are
deeper and wider tham has ever been
charged. The one weak excuse for this
base surrender is the alleged interfer-
ence OF Great Britain to prevent coali-
ton Of Continental powers against the
United States and in favor Of Spain
during the recent Spanish war. That
coalition was never contemplated Great
Britain rendered MS no service Tier
whole idea in the alliance is to make
the United States render her service
and give nothing in return. Mckinley
falls into the trap with great readi-
ness.
1t was Great Britain's policy to so
involve the United States in the Asiatic
squabble that in the end this country
would be Obliged to ask her support.
1t is dangerously near succeeding. This
country is plunged into the Philippine
complication so deeply that it is diff
cult to see any satisfactory ending OF
our war Of conquest The worse the
situation gets. the better it will suit the
designs Of Great Britain.
THAT TRIP OF McKINLEY'S.
The opinion gains ground in Wash
ington that President McKinley's Wes-
tern trip has been considerable Of q
frost Even the Republican leaders fear
that he has done himself and the party
much more harm than good. There have
been no great public demonstrations oi
affection and approval. Instead, the
masses have been distinctly chilly. TX
be sure there is always certair