Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-02
THE AFRICAN WAR.

Notwithstanding the confident tone OF
the Boer ENJOYS IN this country, II APP
pears probable that the South African
struggle Is practically over It is true
that the failure OF the British to cap
ture any stores, ammunition, or guns.
points to the possibility Of a prolonga-
tlon Of the war, but other clrcum-
stances render this possibility very re-
mote. There has been no display Of
courage. or Of tactical skill, since the
battles IN which Joubert and Cronja
distinguished themselves One line OF
defense after another Is being aban-
doned without any attempt at making
a stand The Vaal river was thought
to offer great possibilities of resistance.
Pretoria was said to be almost impreg-
nable, or capable Of holding out for
two years. But the Beers have fled, il
seems, Instead Of contestlug the ad-
vance Of the invaders. inch by inch.
they fall back. The conclusion is inev-
table that the burghers have concluded
TO give up the fight and submit
The world is about to witness the
wlping out OF existence OF two small re-
publlcs, whose citizens have long fought
for liberty and independence-fought
against natural obstacles In a wild
country, against sayages, and against
the aggression Of those Jealous OF their
success The long struggle is apparent
ly over with the passing away Of the
old generation Of empire builders, a new
status Of affairs IL coming into exist
ence. Their work-that is some Of it,
falls to the ground, as they themselves
pass beyond view When 1t is remem-
bered that the history Of the South
African republics dates no further back
than the early thirtes. the brlefness Of
their career becomes a striking feature
OF IL particularly II II is contrasted
with the rise and development Of some
OF the younger States Of the American
Union.
The wiplng out Of existence Of the in
dependence OF these two republics would
be a calamity 10 the cause Of liberty In
an the world, were despotlsm and saw
agery TO take the place Of the popular
government OF the Beers. But
this is not the case. The
Beers that chose TO remain IN the
country viii quickly learn to submit
with resignation 10 the new conditions.
The British government will, probably,
in due time. give TO South Africa a
form Of government similar 10 that Of
Canada, or Australia. Personal civil
and religious liberty will be guaran-
tecd; property win be secure and the
region viii be rendered desirable both
% old settlers and newcomers. The
fate Of the Transvaal and Orange Free
State Is In no way comparable 10 that
Of Finland, where the prospect is that
bigotry and despotIsm VIII take the
place Of enlightenment and constltu-
tional liberty. The cases are widely
different.
The downfall Of the republics Is cer-
tainly matter Of regret but the
defeat Of Great Britain In this unequal
conflict would have been still more de-
plorable. For that would have been
q signal for the advance Of the op.
ponents Of liberty from all sides. The
Anglo-SaXon race seems 90 De the
guardians ol liberty, as was Hejmdal Of
the heavenly bridge Blfroat. When
ever that connecting link between
heaven and earth burst. Raguarok,
with is indescribable confusion, is not
far on.