Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-11-01
DEMOCRACY AND TIE 7RANSYAAk.

who looks upon the South African war
with great glee, not because he has bur-
dened himself with a knowledge of the
issues involved in the contest, or is par
ticularly interested in the merits of the
case, but because he ~foresees in it's out
come a possible advantage to his party
in the campaign of 1900. 1t may strike
the average reader as a little far-fetched
to figure on! the Transvaal troubles as
c~ontributory to democratic hopes next
year, but not a few sanguine represent
atives of the grand old party have
solved the problem.
They are of the opinion that if the war
in the Transvaal is long continued Russia
and France will combine against Eng
land. on account of the Chinese question,
II place the British lion in a most un-
comfortable position. Should this take
place. it is argued that England will be
compelled to realize on her securities in
America. to meet financial demands that
would necessarily arise. This, in turn,
would p%recipitate a stringency in the
American money market and correspond
ing hard times. With hard times in this
country, tho democracy would have "a
fighting crane for success.
. 1t must be confessed that the hope in
dulged by our democratic friends is a
rather roundabout proposition, but is
better thar nothing . Hard times
throughout the United States next spring
and summer is the only CLEAN of hope
for the democratic party, and, in default
of an actual panic, a withdrawal of
English money from this country, and a
slight tightening down in financial cir
cles, would be the next best thing for
the leaders of the democracy to howl
about.
There is, unquestionably, a great deal
of apprehension felt in Europe over the
persistent rumors that France and
Russia may take advantage of the situ-
alton to assail Great Britain and pay up
old scores, and, if possible, break the
back of that power. Should such a thing
occur the long predicted universal war in
Europe NOulu Undoubtedly ldhe pace,
forGermany and Austria would be drawn
into the complications, and the lesser
powers could not long remain in a neu-
trial position. The opening of the new
century would be characterized by the
bursting of the war cloud that has for
many years threatened the peace of
Europe. 1t is not at all improbable that
the United States would finally find itself
the earth with blood.
However, the sanguine democrat who
confidently looks forward to such a con-
tin as the embarrassment of Great
Britain, to a degree that may cause the
1inancial interests of America to suffer,
will hardly realize upon his investment
of political hopes. Russia is in no condi-
ton to undertake war. Less than a week
columns announced the failure of that
country to negotiate a loan of $40, 900, 900
in Paris, indicating the condition of her
available finances. The trans-Siberian
AOlttDtSltIL
under two years, has been a terrible
drain on the Russian ~eXchequer, and
with interests in Manchuria to maintain,
II Chinese holdings to protect, the czar
can i'll afford to indulge the luxury of a
contest with Great Britain.
Neither is France in a position to
undertake a military campaign. That
country would meet it's reverses in war
by an uprising of the royalists and the
destruction of the republic, and the
chances are 1t would be compelled to
again face it's ancient enemy over the
Rhine. Both Russia and France will
cogitate long and earnestly, with their
best thinking caps on, before they assail
the British lion. The rumors of ~interven-
ton are in all likelihood the idle gossip
of the nations.
In the opinion of the Inter Mountain,
a few months at the outside will see the
end of the Transvaal war, with England
master of the situation. Then the great
gold fields will resume their output of
$500, 900. 900 a year, British securities will
remain intact, and the fondly hoped for
"pinch' in the United States will not
take place. The democratic party will