Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-03-08
Is Engiand's Will MIR. lNfcKinley' Law,

Is England's Will Mr.lNfcK inley's Law?
This is the i34th day Of the war in South
Africa. For more than four months the
armies OF the little republics have held
their outer line Of defenses on British soil
solely because OF the natural conforma.
zion OF the country. They are now fall.
ing back upon the first line OF home de-
fense-faling back before British army
which numbers not far from 10000
men, including those holding the lines
OF communication.
The World has several times quoted
from that prophetic letter which Gen.
Joubert wrote to friend in Berlin under
date OF Oct. q, 1S99-sixteen days after
the outbreak of hostilities. 1t will he re-
membered that Gen. Joubert predicted,
without boastfulness and with acute rea-
sonng power, precisely what happened
during the first three months. Let us
see what he said would happen after the
republics had exhausted all the possible
ties OF an Observation-Disclosures campaign:
"a war Of defense, OF which we need
not think for a considerable time, would
present far greater advantages than an
offensive war. We are at home on the
highlands OF the Transvaal and the Orange
Free State. The British will have to con-
test every step under nconceivabe diff.
culties, and must be prepared at every
moment to fight on two or three fronts.
Then will begin guerilla war which the
British will be unable to endure"
The partial list OF casualties sent
through by Roberts from his first Free
State acknowledgements officers killed,
wounded and Observation-Disclosures that
this home-defense war has begun. Does
any one doubt that it will be war that
will "stagger humanity" war that will
man?
When the last OF the soldiers of the re-
publics shall have withdrawn from Brit
ish soil, matter OF few days apparent
ly, then will be the opportune moment
for Mr.. Mckinley to make the humane,
friendly appeal in behalf of civilization.
As Joubert said, Uncomfortable diff
culties" difficulties Of climate. food sup.
ply, water supply, Of military operations
Of every kind-are now facing the British.
They might we'll wish to pause. And
they cay pause without any feeling Of
tain osscas The 's %srS S9S months Ss con
peace with honor. As for the republics,
they have wished for mediation from the
very outset, as they ask nothing but the
right to live and to be free.
That Mr.. Mckinley realizes the APP
proach OF an opportunity which he can
hardly refuse without notifying his fell
low-countrymen is evidenced by his
authorized statement issued last night.
He refuses in anticipation. He let Eng
land and the European powers appeal to
him just before our war with Spain be.
gan. All the precedents Of international
usage are for an appeal. The articles
adopted at The Hague peace congress,
and ratified by Great Britain and the
United States, expressly provide for such
appeals without awaiting the consent Of
the nations at war, and declare that such
appeals shall never be considered an un.
friendly act.
Yet Mr.. Mckinley refuses. He will
not speak, lie says, until both parties ask.
As the republics have asked and are
eager for the appeal to be made, Mr.. Nc
Kinleys statement means that he will not
speak until England asks. Mr.. McKin-
ley therefore says: II am not the servant
OF peace, Of civilization, Of humanity. /
am the servant Of England. Until Eng
land bids me l will not let my country
plead the cause of peace and progress.
England's will in this matter is my law"
New York World.