New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-05
THE AMERICAN SIDE
THE DUTIES AND OPPORTUNITIES on A
NEUTRAL IN THE STRUGGLE IN
SOUTH AFRICA
To the Editor Of the Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Just now in town and country one hears
people putting TO each other the queries Which
side Of the South African war you on?' Ara
you for the Beers or the British?' (Which do Won
sympathize within"
To the unthinkne and careless portion OF tha
community the South African has the interest
and charm Of any contest which they witness but
do not participate in. 1t Is like serial story
drama, a horserace. a football game. in which
the spectator may shout bet either side "a
he pleases.
But it is no such holiday contest 1t is a life and
death struggle between brave men. most Of whom
are actuated by patriotic motives. and many OF
whom laying down their lives for their coun-
try. Certainly there sides 20 the question
the Boer side and the British one. But there are
more than two. There is third side-the American
one. That is the only side our Government
properly take and one which II behooves all citi-
zens consider.
II is natural enough that some should incline TO
side and some to the other. on account OF their
respective Dutch English ancestry OF their real
fancied business interests. Some Of believe
that the Transvaal Republic ought not be over
thrown. Many more of believe that England
may be trusted to give good colonial government
to any region that she ccnquers- Sympathy with
either one side the other. with both. in their
of misfortune is unavoidable: IL II les
sened by perceiving do at this distance, that
the troubles both sides have been largely brought
on by themselves-the Beers by their bad govern
ment. the British by their bad generalship SYM
pathy when 1t takes the form OF active benevoencs
In sending ships. nurses and supplies for the sick
and wounded is highly rommendable and as praise
worthy anything in the But the SYM
pathy which is merely idle and voeiferOus and
finds it's expression in public demonstrations does
more harm than good For the Government 70 take
sides in the war would be grieyous error. To
hold pro-Boer pro-British meetings invoking
Governmental action Is merely calling upon IL to
commit that error
Oh, but neutrality is colorless. Is the answer.
1T Is nothing but passive acquiescence IN events
On the contrary, the neutrality Of great Power
in war between communities both OF whom are
it's friends is position that requires constant
and activity. 1t entails grave duties and high
responsibilities First of all, II is duty 10 pro-
tect and defend the rights of our citizens and
ships. II the British seize -four belonging to Amer
leans If the Beers seize and use mines and ma
chinery that are American property, in whole or
in part, Ii becomes duty to demand explanations
and redress Our citizens must be protected from
spoliation even when it is done under the plea OF
self-defence. Our Government is not negiectful
OF its duties in this regard and so far both sides
seem amenable to reason and law
The war must end at some time and in some way.
AT present there seems no immediate probability
that the British will be debating terms TO the
Beers at Pretoria. On the other hand, it is hardly
conceivable that the Beers can exhaust the re-
sources of the British Empire. II is quite possible
that at some future time one or both Of the COM
batants may desire to avail themselves or our
good offices to restore peaceful relations Neither
may ask US mediate or arbitrate- But there are
many occasions in which the courteous aid OF
friend useful. We ourselves IN our recent span
ish war found the French Minister a convenient
Intermediary, and Paris good place to make
treaty. If we maintain just and proper atti-
tude we may be of some help 20 somebody But II
we vociferously proclaim ourselves on one side or
the other and vet not mucn IL as to be will
Ing to fight for It, or to send men and guns TO IT,
our vocferation is mere brutum fumen. for which
neither Beers nor British will have reason 70 thank
us Our very onesidedness would estOp Us from
tending friendly Offices
And to whom else but the United States could
either party turn? What other Power is there that
both could look to for impartial action OF advice.
unbiased by self-nterest and warmly DESTROYS OF
seeing peace and prosperity again prevailing m
South Africa? FREDERICK w SEWARD.
Montrose-on- the Hudson. n. Y. Jan 81, 1900