Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-31

Dou,G say AdNe no llilIc
today, come another day. This
will not do. The law says you
shall aid the enumerators in every
way. He has no time to visit you a
second time. Be ready for him. None
will be excused. All the many ques-
tions are necessary and, rightly re-
garded, none is impertinent.
Wib T. Clements.
The Broad View OF tho Boer War.
[By Henery Clews.l
While many Americans have sympa.
thized with the Dutch, chiefly because
they have fought valiantly for los
ing cause, yet as a nation we were not
only compelled to be neutral by all lie.
gal precedent, but on the merits of
the cause our Judgment could not
sanction the position of the Dutch.
Both Dutch and English have fought
for liberty as each understood it. But
to the Dutch liberty was for the Dutch
only; while the English fought for
equal rights for all men and not for
the privileged few of single national.
ity Under British domination the
Dutch will have the same rights as the
English; under Dutch rule other ma
'tionalities had been made desperate by
the petty tyranny of rulers whose ul-
terror purpose was the utter exclusion
of all foreigners, if possible. The issue
may be clouded by discussing the mi-
nor errors of both sides; but on the
larger view of the question which must
control-that of equal rights for all
men-there is but one side for Ameri-
cans to take, and that is the side of JUS
tice and equality before the law. AS
for American interference we have no
legal standing there. 1t is purely an
African question; and even from the
humanitarian point of view it would
be supreme folly to shed more blood;
for Britain would never submit to
American interference. Imagine our
temper should England have assumed
to intervene on behalf of Spain during
the late war; or even to support Aguin-
aldo at present. Besides, it would be
ungenerous Of us to forget SO soon
the attitude of friendship which En-
gland preserved during the Spanish
war, and her refusal to join the other
great powers in a yemonstrance against
our interference in behalf of Cuba.
Whatever criticisms we may wish to
make regarding British policy in
South Africa, it cannot be overlooked
that her success stands for advancing
civilization; and the least we can do
for our best friend and our best custo-
mer is to control our emotions and
maintain am attitude of friendly neu-
tgality until this unfortunate struggle
is Drought to finish.
The termination Of the war will Ger.
tainly have stimulating effect by re
lease of the various forces which it has
checked. The relief will be first felt
in the money market, and easier money
in London. will mean smaller gold ex-
ports and easier rates here. The local
outlook for monetary conditions is IA
vorable. Trade and Industrial require.
ments are likely to be less urgent than
a. year ago, and Secretary Gage SENS
disposed to take every legitimate OPP
portunity of preventing the locking up
OF funds in the treasury until congress
stops the accumulation by reducing
the war taxes, which now burden and
irritate the public. The secretary S
call for the redemption of $4,000, 900
two per cent bonds will bring cor
responding amount of money out of
the treasury this fall when most need
ed for crop moving purposes. These
bonds are a renewed obligation of the
government, payable at the pleasure OF
the government, and the calling in of
them now to, be paid off establishes the
United States government credit on a
two per cent basis, which is a record
breaker of the worlds government
credit, as such financial feat has new
er before been accomplished by any
nation. A fa
As we have stated in our previous ad-
vices, the business outlook does not
warrant any. uneasiness. Some conces-
sions on values of merchandise would
merely bring in new orders which
have been held back by high prices;
and a partial cessation of The recent
rush of orders is desirable if trade is
to continue of healthy proportions.
We look for a less profitable but a
smaller and sounder volume of bust
ness during the next six months than
the last And there is no doubt what
ever that the railroads will enjoy their
present prosperity for considerable
length of time to come.