Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-28
A SUBJECT or INQUIRY.

A SUBJECT or INQUIRY.
The reports from South Africa contin-
ne 10 show persistent activity OF the
Beers, In widely separated localities,
aud that the resistance 10 the British is
OF no Insignificant proportions must be
concluded from the fact that Lord
Kitchener so far. has not succeeded
In driving the invaders Of cape COL
ony back into the Orange country II
Is difficult to understand the underlying
motive Of this continued resistance,
since there can be no reasonable ex-
pectatlon Of accompanying the territory
now occupied by the British But the
Boer leaders may perhaps, be hoping
against hope for a change Of sentiment
in Great Britain in favor Of arbitration.
Ex-President Kruger. IL Is given out,
went to Europe for the purpose OF APP
peallng TO the cabinets for aid IN induc-
ing Great Britain to consent 10 arbiua-
ton But the rulers of Europe cannot
have forgotten what has. perhaps, es-
capped the notice OF the Boer president
that Great Britain long ago declined
20 consider such proposition. when
the United States rendered her good
Offices as mediator in the African dill-
Guilty There Is no encouragement at
the present time for any neutral gov
eminent TO propose arbitration.
The Chicago Record, however points
out that, under the Hague convention,
an international inquiry might be insti-
tuted, In accordance with article 9. This
article reads
in differences Of an International ma
ture involving neither honor nor vital
interests, and arising from difference
OF opinion on matters OF fact. the sig
natory powers recommend that parties
who have not been able 10 come TO an
agreement by diplomatic methods
should, as far as circumstances allow,
institute an international commission
OF inquiry 10 facilitate a solution Of
the differences by calculating the facts
by means Of an impartial and consclen-
tious investigation"
Such commission Of inquiry would
examine into the facts Of the dispute,
and pass upon the merits Of the con-
tention. It would. probably. have no
material effect upon the course Of
Great Britain, but It would at least
place the controversy In its true histori-
cal light before the world, and IL the
two republics are to be forever blotted
out Of existence. that event is certainly
OF so much Importance 10 posterity,
that the present owes # a full and true
account Of the causes that led up 10
such a tragic catastrophe.
The Transvaal repgblc may not have
any claims. strictly speaking, TO even
that much recognition, since Great Brit
ain has always maintained her suzer-
ainty over that little country and
the agreements OF the famous Hague
convention were intended TO cover only
independent states. But the inquiry
could be Instituted In behalf OF the
Orange Free State. BY such an in
quIry It would be established that the
Free State entered into this war, not
out Of hatred 70 Great Britain, but
to carry out the compacts between
themselves and their brethren to the
north. President Steyn, who Is a well
educated and broadminded gentleman,
did not fail TO realize the perlls Of cast
ing his lot with the Transvaalers In
this struggle, but he preferred to stand
Loyalty by the sister republic in its
death struggle Whether this crime
was grave enough 10 warrant the
strangling Of that republic together
with the other. the inquiry would make
clear. II the United states could see
It's way TO take the Initiative in
movement for the establishment Of a
commission OF inquiry some OF the
other signatory powers would undoubt-
eddy support 1t, and Great Britain her
self could advance no important obiec.
ton. The party TO the contest. that
is most sincerely convinced Of the jus.
lice Of It's cause, ought to be most
anxious to have the facts made clear
to the world. by all the light that
would be shed upon It by an interna-
tional and impartial investigation.