The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-20
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
SUNDAY, MAY 90, 1900.
What the Boer ENJOYS Will Propose

The representatives OF the South Al i an
Republics, now in Washington, may be
what they describe themselves-simple
burghers IMMERSED in diplomacy. If they
are only that, it is evident that they have
been intelligently coached by some one
who is not at all innocent of knowledge
regarding the way to conduct effective in
ternational business. At least. Messrs.
Fischer, Vessels. and wolmarans display
familiarity with the political situation in
the United States. and the dilemma in
which it places the Administration, that
would do credit to the splendid diplo-
macy of John Hay.
Before leaving New York Delegate
Fischer is reported as saying to a news
paper reporter: What We hope is that
the United States will tell England
that she is wrong; that the war. must
stop" Being asked what would then hap
pen If England refused to suspend hos
tilities. the chief Boer envoy replied: 'Oh,
England would stop. France and other
countries would join the United States
All We ask is that America shall say the
fighting should cease"
With the notion spreading that Europe
only waits for Mr.. Mckinley to say a ia
rorable word in order to at once notify
Great Britain that the question of peace
in South Africa is one for settlement by
a congress of the civilized powers, it wi
be difficult for the President to meet the
petition of the Boer ENJOYS with a posi-
tive refusal. As is usual with him, he will
probably attempt to temporize and delay
decision in the hope that, meantime. re-
sistance in South Africa will cease and the
Dutch beliisereIts submit at discre ion.
But the ENJOYS know better than to wait
many days for the President to make up his
mind. Perhaps they are too petite to say
so, but they are well advised that they
have nothing TO hope at the White House
or the State Department. and that they
might as well go up Connecticut Avenue
and ask for the intervention Of Lord
Pauncefote.
What they do expect is that their fell
low-countrymen at home will be able to
proiong the struggle until they can arouse
the American masses, and thus bring
pressure to bear upon Mr. Mckinley, SO
strong that he will secure permission from
Mr.. Hanna to recognize and bow before it.
OF course, the ENJOYS are mistaken If they
believe that the Administration could be
swerved from its adherence to the McKin-
great might be the popular demand upon
1t to pursue a different policy. But they
do not understand this. and their American
mentors are not likely TO enlighten them
on the point. Men like Kilian Van Rens-
selaer, Banta, and Van der Hoogt are too
perceive the utter futility of trying to
squeeze drop OF sympathetic blood out OF
the British turnip of the Administration.
On this account. We are sadly afraid that
the net result OF the Boer mission will be
TO encourage the war spirit in the Trans
further useless sacrifice of life If it could !!
be shown that the Beers were able TO hold |
out until after the Presidential election,
matters might take different turn Should
the political campaign end in Democratic
victory at the polls next November. it is
ldts " dS5uAnt ludl Lulu WOulu
hasten to give his ally a chance to ask, in
l friendly spirit, for that peace which a
Democratic President would be practically
certain TO demand on the evening of the
It'll of March. A. ID. 1901. But, from all
We can learn, there is not the faintest hope
hat the burghers can maintain their strug-
gle for more than a few weeks. Unless
shall come in the mean time.
their political extinction and annexa-
lion to the Empire appear to be fore
gone conclusion. Their one hope today is
American interference. What that amounts
10 the entanglemenis of the Administra-
.ioD with the ay-Pauncefote deal, the
Panama syndicate scheme. and the plan to
surrender a part of Alaska TO England, tell
My too significantly.