New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-29
SYMPATHY WITH THE BOERS.

The widespread interest in the South African
war which is felt in this country is Indicated
bv nothing. perhaps, more clearly than by the
popular discussion of its causes and progress IN
the form Of letters TO the editor. We nave
received of such communications many more
than space would permit us TO publish written
by all sorts of people, from all imaginable points
Of view and expressive Of all sorts OF opinions.
The minority Of them have been in accord with
and have approved The Trbune's own attitude
toward the war. but respectable minority nave
disagreed with and have criticised the course
of this journal We have printed from time 10
time representatives Of both these classes, Civ
ing at least as good showing to those VINO
blame as to those who praise. In another col
umn Of to-day's paper we print few more
letters some of them strongly taking issue with
The Tribune for its friendly attitude toward
Great Britain and expressing fervent sympathy
with the Beers.
We are glad TO give such correspondents
hearing for we are well aware that they rep
resent a considerable part-though nowhere
near a maiority-of the American people. There
are in this country many descendants Of Dutch
and German settlers, whose sympathies natural
" 90 out to those of their own race and blood.
cherish certain animosity toward England and
all her works. There also others. who have
nc such racial predictions or antagonisms, who
sincerely question the justice of the British side
in the present war They are entitled to their
opinions and their opinions are entitled to re-
spectful consideration, precisely are the oplii-
ions of those who take the contrary view.
Nor would it be profitable at this time to
and
The die is cast" The war has begun, through
the aggressive initiative of the Beers. Ihere
can be- we assume no reasonable doubt that
the British will win The Beers themselves
concedc that Certainly. then, it will he best ior
all concerned to have the inevitable end reached
as speedily and with as little destruction OF
life and property possible. Nor can we see
ut most any other than sentimental ground
for regrettng that end. The free ana prosper
Gus and, we may add, contented lot or the
Dutch in Cape Colony may be taken rs an In
dcation OF what the lot Of the Beers VIII be
after the conquest of their country by the Brit
sh We suppose there is not Dutchman at
the Cape who would for moment think OF eX-
changing his condition. politically, industrlaiiy
or otherwise, for that of his Transvaal cousins
In brief. we believe the result OF this war Will
be for the benefit Of both and all races in South
Africa and for the advance of civilization.
We have said that the Beers technically and
actually began the war. 1t is equally true that
they provoked II by imposing disabilities upon
the people who at their express invitation came
into their country, developed its resources, saved
it from bankruptcy, paid the expenses Of run
ming its government. and made it in proportion
to It's population one Of the richest countries IN
the world. We do not dispute that technically
some defence of such action of the Boer Gov
eminent may be made ard Is made. Accord
ing TO the strict letter Of the law, the Pretoria
Government perhaps had a right to add new
disabilities year by year for excluding the
majority Of the population from representation
I'm the government. But man Is more than con-
stitutons." The equal rights Of the civilized
races in South Africa are superior to mere
phrases distorted from their original pur-
port And we are we'll persuaded that the SYM
pathies of the American people, as n whole, 60
out to equal rights rather than to class and
caste, to democracy rather than to oligarchy,
and 10 the free. generous civilization of the
Dutchmen Of Cape Colony rather than to the
narrow and reactionary policy of the Trans
vaal