The Lamar register., 1900-05-30
rae BoGa COW elssloNeRs.


less this is the one, and pathetic also
because this progress, begun on the
dock at New York TO end in failure
somewhere is the last resort Of q
brave people crushed in valiant strug
gle against superior force.
Whatever may be thought OF the mer-
It's of the South African war, no one
questions the sincerity OF the Boer pco.
Pile Their ideas of liberty may be
crude, but they are fighting for liberty
to the death.
If it were possible for the United
States to do anything for these people,
Americans would approve almost unan-
imously, the doing OF IT.
II 1t We're possible for the administra-
tion ut Washington to take some step
which would secure for the Beers what
they desire without sacrificing greater
interests, we are sure that there would
not be a moment of delay.
But whatever may have been the
question AT issue IN the earlier days OF
the war, the point now in contest is the
independence Of the Orange Free State
and the TrinsvanI. The Beers are
fighting to the last against conquest.
while Great Britain openly declares
that the independence Of the Dutch
republics Is menace 10 her interests
in South Africa and can no longer be
tolerated.
The fate TO which THE Beers may
seem destined is not servile one.
They are TO be treated as other British
eolonials are treated. aud they win be
given the full protection Of law TO
property and person II is asserted
even. upon good authority. that the
conditions OF the Boer citizen Will be
better as n British subject that as a
republican. However that may h., II
Is evident that short OF the indepen-
dence Of the republics, which is desired
by the Beers with all the intensity
born OF generations OF life in the VII
ierness and repeated removals In the
face OF British euCroachmeni, there is
nothins that the United States can ask
for short OF independence which the
British people are no, already inclined
to give to the Beers. The Boers
themselves ask nothing outside OF that
Independence which the British posi-
lively refuse to concede.
But upon the abrugation OF the in
dependence OF the Bocr republics Great
Britain viii insist. and nothing short OF
physical force viii induce her 10 ahate
that demand IL would be the height
of folly for the United States to make
in behalf Of the Transvaal any such
demand as we might feel bound "a
make for our own interests II South
American state were similarly situated.
That Great Britain would resist such =
demand even at cost of war, cannot be
doubted. and In that war she would
have the entire sympathy II not the
actual cooperation OF the European
powers.
The mission Of the Boer enyoys Is a
hopeless one and the sooner they real
Ike this the better II win be for all con
ate time. The supposed exigencies OF
party politics viii play !arger part in
the treatment given to them by the
public than will the consideration OF
national interests or the strict equities
Of international relations. The enthus-
iastic receptions given to them in Ho-
boken and elsewhere are part Of the
scheme to make the Republican admin
Isrration appear a. TIE friend Of ty-
ranny and the Indifferent witness OF
the subjugation OF lIberty-Ioving race.
On the other hand it is being asserted
with every appearance OF falsity that
the ENJOYS have received assurances
from Mr.. Bryan that IL he is elected
President he will interfere in their be-
half.
We are sorry to see brave and honor
able men made the sport of party poll
tics In this fashion. They deserve bet
ter things OF the American nation. 1t
is cruel 10 encourage hopes that cannot
be realized 1t is undignlfied 10 use
grave International matters as make
weights In n domestic election.
The Boer ENJOYS VIII soon or late find
the hollowness OF the promises now be
ing made TO them and that the most
ofticious welcome comes from those