Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-12-04

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The one central figure in European pol
itics last week is Paul Kruger, president
of the Transyaal republic. He is an I'M
couth, almost unlettered, Boer, bent with
age. He is the president Of Il republic
that has been beaten into the earth by
the iron heel Of a British army 100000
strong and commanded by the greatest
military leader Of the old world. The
Boer army is scattered Sixteen thou
sand Boer soldiers are prisoners at st.
Helena, in Ceylon, or in Cape Town. The
rest, broken UP into guerrilla bands; are
being driven from shelter to shelter in
the Transvaal or the Orange Free State.
The Boer women and children have been
driven from their farms to the smaller
towns and from the smaller towns to the
larger cities. There is nothing left of
the Boer republic but the name and Pres
ident Kruger. What will Europe do with
Kruger? Is he an element of danger to
England? These are questions being ask
ed by thinking men in England as Well
as on the continent Apparently Kruger's
only hope for assistance lies in the
French people, and President Loubet ard
his premier, Waldeck- Rousseau, are evil
IDENTIFY determined that even the volatil-
ism Of the French people shall not sway
the government a hairs breadth from an
attitude absolutely correct toward Great
Britain. But if the French excess Of en-
thusiasm for Kruger can be turned into
a political channel and the Waldeck-
Rousseau ministry be overturned, the sit
uation might take on an altogether diff
ferent aspect. Ii is faircr to assume that
Kruger is making final effort to secure,
through diplomacy, that pressure on Eng
land that may compel the British gov
eminent. from motives Of self.interest
alone, to grant at least autonomy to the
Boer races.
-:-:-
The Chinese situation is far from re-
assuring. Negotiations for peaceful set
tlemePt are in a deadlock, and the crisis
which is likely to reopen hostilities and
bring about the partition of the Chinese
empire is evidently near at hand. Stated
briefly, a majority Of the powers, led by
Germany IS demanding more than China
can pay. The minority, made up of the
United States, Russia and France, fapors
a demand for only what China is able TO
pay and no more. As q result, the press
Of London and Berlin. especially
of Berlin. is flied with indig
nant criticism for the policy OF the
United States. There IS ut least good
grounds for the suspicion that Germany
and England, backed by the smaller pow
ers Of Austria and Italy, are deliberately
forcing the issue of ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
China cannot delay crisis much longer.
The demands of the powers already made
must soon be complied with or rejected.
Rejection. Of course. means war, and
war means ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
:-:
England's proposal to adopt the harsh
reconcentradO methods made hateful to
humanity by Weyler in the closing years
Of the Cuban revolution lend renewed in
terest e the desultory campaign III South
Africa. Lord Kitchener, we are told. *
to re-eiact the Weylcr tragedy. The
womep and children are to be gathered
into tile larger towns and the men are 10
be male prisoners wherever found. This
means that England. weary Of the fruit
less campaigning against small bands u
Boef soldiers. has determbined 10 make
Of the Transyaal a wilderness. The re-
cyncentrado policy means a land Of desc
lated homes. II tells eIoquenfly Of the
stubborn patriotism Of the Beer race.
And il means a setback OF half a century
In the development Of the Transyaal.
Derby cup Of 200 sovereigus was won