The record-union., 1899-09-10


prevent raid upon poorly defended
Natal. The greatest dangers the British
contemplate facing, apart from the
Beers steady hands and Mauser rifles,
are climate, lack of forage and the
scarcity of ammunition, owing to the
difficulties of transport. Precautions
have already been taken to avoid the
two last, but there is no doubt that If
the campaign occurs many British lives
will be sacrificed to enteric fever.
Montague White, Consul General of
the South African republic in Lon
don, said:
IF the burghers will not yield to hys-
terra there is no casus belli. We de-
cline responsibility for what others
have muddled. Suzerainty is not the
question. The franchise is the rock of
difference on which Mr.. Chamberlain
recognized we shall split. This war, if
war must come. is not going to end
with a flash in the pan. The struggle
will be from Pretoria to Cape Town.
Even supposing the existing Boer regi-
ments are annihlated no force can
beat down the Afrikander and Dutch
strength of South Africa. He who de-
clares war on the Transvaal lights the
torch of revolution. The TranSvaal will
not precipitate matters. The burghers
will go out to defend their homes and
country when the note of alarm is
sounded. That is no menace. Lord
Salisbury has yet to be reckoned with.
He will not be driven by personal feel
ing or bubble. We believe the Brit
ish sense of fair play willp revail.
Ex-Congressman James II. Lewis ar
rived here this week and on Friday pre-
sented his credentials at the United
States Embassy. He was cordially re-
ceived. Mr.. Lewis is here to press the
claims for compensation to the Ameri-
can miners who were evicted in the At
lin district of the Northwest Territory
by the Canadian Government. The
matter of the American miners claim
against Canada has already been taken
up, but no action will be taken until
the arrival of Sir Louis Henry Davis,
the Canadian Minister of Mines and
Fisheries, who is coming here to pre-
sent the other side of the case. By that
time the United States ambassador,
Joseph H. Choate, will have the briefs
of Mr. Lewis under consideration. The
lawyer urges that the claims be in
cluded in the general arbitration by the
High Commission. Minister Davis will
object to this, maintaining that such
methods VII obstruct the boundary So
luton.
Mr. Lewis, interviewed by a reporter
of the Associated Press, said: Il hope
the claims will be arbitrated through
a commission appointed for that pur-
pose by the Joint High Commission. l
am anxious that any action concerning
Alaska be in part dependent upon the
recognition of these claims of 5000
American citizens, and that the United
States, whence they came, will insist
upon fair treatment by Great Britain.
They regard the legislation which has
deprived them of their poperty as a
great wrong and a violation of the
spirit of the treaty of Washington.
Great Britain can we'll demonstrate
here her desire to maintain the present
friendly relations by assuring these
Americans just treatment We desire
nothing done which would embarrass
the present agreeable relations, but we
cannot tolerate without protest the con-
fiscation of 50000,000 worth of PROV
erty belonging to American citizens
Questioned regarding the rumors that
a modus vivendi had been arrived at in
the Alaskan dispute Mr.. Lewis said:
81 am certain that the United States
has concluded no definite arrangement,
such as conceding free ports on the
Lynn Canal or Pyramid Harbor Any
thing which has possibly been arrived
at can be but temporary, as the Amer
lean people will not tolerate the sur
render of the territory claimed by Can
ada. They may consent to some con-
cession of privileges upon the condi-
ton that the rights of American citi-
zens are CORRESPONDENCE preserved, in
Guiding the claims of these miners [
represent. There is no question over
which the United States will fight soon
er than to prevent another juggling
such as robbed her of what is now
British Columbia. 1 understand unoffi-
cially that the High Commission will
meet in November and / expect that
the miners claims will have reached
such a status by that time as will de-
termine what authority is to decide
their merits.''
referring to the Philippine Islands.
Mr.. Lewis remarked: '"The Democratic
party is intensely American. NY indi-
vidual view is that of the party. We
are in a war. The honor of the conn
try and the glory of the flag are at
stake. Both must be maintained at
all hazards. After this is accomplished
there is time enough to dispose of the
problems involved
Speaking of the suggested Anglo
American alliance, Mr.. Lewis said:
The question has not been fully con-
sidered by the American people. Per
sonaily l am opposed to it. I regard
it as impracticable and improbable to
US. A purely commercial alliance is
enough"
Referring to home politics, Mr.. Lewis
concluded: "Mr. Bryan will be the
nominee and will be elected. No doubt
he will have the unanimous support of
the South and the whole Pacific Coast. I"
Senator Mark Hanna, previous to
sailing for New York on board the
American line steamer st. Louis to-
day, speaking to reporter of the As
soclated Press on rumors of his re-
tirement from the Republican National
Committee, said: "That is a question,
of course, | am not permitted to speak
about. The present committee remains
in force until after the national con-
vention is opened next year. Whether
l am selected as Chairman or not. | will
certainly be in the contest and will
give whatever effort / may possess in
behalf OK the Republican party"
DOUBLE MURDER.