New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-21
AN IMPOSSIBLE PROPOSITION.

It is announced that President Krtger, through
his general agent in Europe DR.. Leyds. has Of
fered to stop his war against Great Britain on
condition that the status quo ante bellum De re-
stored and maintained, and that he threatens, In
case Great Britain does not accept his oner, 10
incite the Dutchmen Of Cape Colony to rebellion
against her authority. 1t does not seem possible
that the British Government. can give the propo-
sltion any treatment other than instant rejec-
ton Certainly on the very face of It the thing
is repugnant to common sense and TO humanity
For the acceptance Of such an offer would be
admission That the war had no provocation on
either side and that nothing is to be settled rs
result OF IT, which would be monstrous thing.
The only thing that can Justify war is that
these dead shall not have died in vain," but
that some lasting good shall be the result of
their sacrifice. The result that is desired in this
case is the permanent settlement of the contro-
versies that have long vexed South Africa. The
war was begun on the one side TO establish
Dutch or Boer paramountcy in South Africa,
and was accepted on the other side to maintain
British paramountcy. II would be crime
against humanity to stop the war with that
question unsettled and thus to let the dreadful
price already paid go for nothing. For nothing
soon como up again. and the price, and larger
one have to be paid over again. We may per
haps gain fuller appreciation OF the impossible
ity OF this proposition II we suppose that Spain
had at the end OF the bloody battles around San
tago de Cuba proposed that the war he ended on
the basis of restoration OF the former status.
The offer would have been regarded IN this
country with scorn and rage The answer would
I'm vp hppn II WINS n IN lc mr.
be fought 10 n finish and that either the Spanish
or the American flag must disappear from the
Antilles as a result OF It. That, beyond doubt, is
the British answer 10 Mr.. Kriiger's proposition.
Either the British flag or the Transvaal flag
must disappear from South Africa. And indeed
that is as It should be. II the Beers are in the
right they should persist in their struggle for
the expulsion OF the British and the establish.
ment OF purely Dutch confederacy I'm South
Africa. II the British are in the right they
should continue their campaign for the preserva-
ton Of the integrity OF the empire Any other
course on either side would be disqualification.
AS for Mr.. Krdgers alleged threat TO rouse
the Cape Dutch TO insurrectlon, II Will not be
seriously regarded, for the reason that Mr. Krti-
ger and his ally, Mr.. Steyn have already done
that very thing to the utmost extent OF theit
ability. II will be remembered that the Trans
vaal ultimatum, which involved the declaration
Of war, purported to be made in behalf not Of
the Transvaal alone but Of all South Africa. and
that the Orange Free State President, In an
nouncing that States participation In the war as
an ally OF the Transvaal, in the dlrectest man
| ner summoned all the Afrikanders OF the Cape
and Of Natal TO rise against the British. Nor
Will 1t escape attention that the same policy
has been since pursued in annexlng Cape ter
ritory and parts Of Natal TO the Orange Free
State In order that the Dutch inhabitants may
have technical pretext for Joining the Beers
So It is not likely that Great Britain will be
scared by that menace TO the extent Of accept
ing an impossible proposition