New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-09
TERMS FOR THE BOERS.

Discussion is already rife of the settlement
that is to he made in South Africa at the ehd
of the present war. 1t seems to be imagined by
some that the war is near its end and that the
British will be triumphant. The suggestion Is
made therefore that they should be magnani-
nous in their treatment of the Beers, ana II
ia intiniated that the Beers would he glad TO
consider peace on the basis of entire indie
nendenca for their two republics That is to
say. they would like TO be made bette OH than
they We're before they began the II Is
altogether probable that they VIII be made bet
ter off but it will not be through the granting
of Independence.
The British Government has not yet Indicated
the form OF settlement 1t will impose upon the
Roars There is no doubt that il will act with
generosity and kindness. Lord Roberts is
doing at the present moment. But neither is
there any doubt that ii will establish. once and
for all time. it's sovereign authority over the
whole Of South Africa. The Government VIII
not be mora lenent toward the Beers than
Lord Rosebcry would. and Lord Rosebery
has said emphatically that there can be no
repetition Of the Majuba surrender. The terms
OF peace will be dictated by the victor, not b.
the yanduished. That is the common rule OF
war. and there seems TO be no reason Tor
departing from # in this c1se.
Nor will the Beers have cause to murmur.
They themselves have set the example for
s,irh settlement Many weeks ago. when the
tide of way flowing strongly in their
favor. they suggested peace on their own
terms They would not be satisfied. they said,
with mere return to the status quo ante but
must have some material gains as fruits of vie
tory-full independence for the Transvaal. ana
6 seaport, and the annexation OF some counties
OF Natal and the Cape. Such were the terms
they demanded, and they emphasized their
earnestness in demanding them by formally
''anpeXing" large tracts of British territory
They thus have debarred themselves from ef-
fective protest against similar course on the
part of the British If they would not be con
tent with return TO the status quo ante. why
should the British be? If they demanded such
Independence as they had not had before, why
should not the British require them to surren-
der even that which they have? If they were
justified in annexing British territory, why may
not the British annex Bocr territory
But all these questions will be for the British
Government TO settle when Lord Roberts gets to
Pretoria. They are no business of the outside
world. There only few points Of settlement
which concern the world ut large, even in an
academic sense. One Is that the settlement shall
be final and there shall be no loophole left for a
renewal OF the wretchcd controversy that has
vcxed the land for the last quarter or century.
Another is that there shall be no race proscrip-
ton, but every facility shall be offered for a
growth of amity and good fellowship between
Boer and Brton And a third is that South
Africa shall be put and kept In line and In
touch with civilization and progress and en-
lightened free government. If these things are
assured the war will not have been in vain.
If they are not assured IL will have been In
vain and there Is no war more deplOraDle and
more detesta ble than one which is in vain.