The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-07
<irtrlgtfon Statement.
The Boer war in Parliament.

It is interesting to observe that the
mother country is not above Initiating
US when that course happens to be con-
venient In the House CT Commons yes
terday it developed that the atrocities
which are being practiced in South Afri-
ca are justified by the British Govern
ment On the ground that they are in ae-
eordance with the regulations published
by the United States in 1899. for the
guidance of troops N guerrilla warfare,
These rules, said the Government leader,
Mr. BaIfour. in answer to an attack upon
the WeyIer policy, fully justify tbs bum
ing of farms and other seventies prac-
ticed by the British upon the Beers
It is perhaps only fair 10 say in de-
fence Of our army authorities that
certain course of treatment might be
properly applied to half savage and
treacherous TagaIs, and still be far from
jus. ifable IN the case of civilized enc
mics like the BOers- At the same time.
it might be well to enquire to what ex-
tent the present methods OF Lord Kitrhe
ner. which are horrifying and exaspera-
ting the weird. have been or are being
pursued IN the R0lllpplneS.
Yesterday was an occasion of discomfort
for Lord Salisbury, Mr.. Chamberlain, and
ether ministerial dignitaries in Parliament
In the House Of Lords, the Earl of Rose
berry boldly attacked the Government,
more than limited that the Colonial Sec
retary was too deeply interested in public
contracts for his country's good, and goad-
cd the Premier into the declaration that
he would never allow a Testige Of indie
peRdence 20 the Beers. Our dispatches as
se-t that such plain language as was used
b. the opposition yesterday has been sell
dom If ever before heard in Westminster
Il all goes &c show that the British pub
lie Is getting around TO condition Of So
T-mindedness again. and the khaki fever
epidemic is yielding to the treatment Of an
enor nous debt which is increasing daily
and TO some significant qIlaIms of con-
science in regard to a war conducted pTiE-
cipaIlv against helpless women and chill
dren. The cruelty OF Kitchener's proceed
ings is becoming more and more public
property. through letters which deal with
the wretehed facts. written by soldiers in
South Africa. and whic,s are reaching Eng
Iaad by every mail The result Is that a
strong Enforcement sentiment Is form
ing. and is already sufficiently crystallized
TO give the cabinet some uneasiness.
It does not need any. There is more
tEan enough of that commodity furnished
b. the situation in the field De Wet
seems able to outwit Knox, or whoever
is sent after him, as often as he pleasss,
and it is not considered improbable that
ne may turn up in Cape Colony and head
the threatened rebellion il that quarter.
The country IS as far from being pacified
as ever, and the general conditions are
serious IN the extreme. Great Britain
cannot sustain the financial drain en-
tailed by this war, which is no longer
var, bat worthless devastation on ore
si4e ard hopeless desperation on The
other without grave political and eco
1omie difficulty. The eyes of the world
are looking augrily askance at a power
which seems 10 be eInulating the meth
ods OF the Spaniards in Cuba and the
Turks in Armenia. and Lord Salisbury
and his colleagues are wise enough to
know that world opinion is something
which even great Emperors must re-
spect Altogether our ancient enemy is
not in comfortable circumstances, for
which misfortune We shall refrain from
any vulgar display of grief.