The evening times., 1900-05-17
THURSDAY. MAY II. 1900.
The President and the Beers.

The President ana the Beers
We desire to say in all seriousness that
a grave responsibility rests upon the Presi-
dent of the United States. in connection
with the coming to Washington of the
BOer peace ENJOYS We beg most re-
speetfully to call his attention to the mes
sage from a number of Americans in South
Africa, pleading that the war in that
. county. and the awful carnage incident TO
st. shall not be made the sport Of Ameri-
en- the struggle. and certainly to increase
the butchers bill which humanity must
pay to the demon of battle.
1t rests with the Administration to dis
pei whatever Illusions the unfortunate peo-
Ple Of the South African Republic and the
Orange Free State may be under. as to its
real attitude toward them. and its inten-
tions in regard to mediation or interven-
tion. II. in pursuance of wish to pIa-
cate public sentiment in this country. Mr.
Mckinley and Mr.. Hay were to meet the
peace ENJOYS in such a way as to encour-
age their hope Of active assistance. dipIo-
matte or otherwise. in the struggle of their
little states for independence, no one can
entertain the smallest doubt that such en-
cOuragement would be Immediately reflect
ed in a more determined and heroic re-
sistance to the British advlnce upon Pre-
toria. than has yet been witnessed. There
is growing impression in Europe. thar.
failing immediate Intervention by some
great power in their behalf. if the Beers
are beaten on the vaal River line they Will
cease fighting and make the best terms
they can with their ccrquaror. Il IS high
ly probable that the remotest hint of even
our gocd Offices. held oII to the Boer en-
voys by President Mckinley. would change
the immediate course of events in the field
of war and animate the burghers to a
fight TO the end. in the vain hope that by
gaining a little time. they could count
upon American mediation or Intervention.
They know that two if not three European
powers would jump at the chance to join
in such movement on the initiative Of
he United States.
We are not ignoring the fact that the
situation places Mr.. Mckinley in a painful
political dilemma. and, in this respect. he
has our sympathy. But it really rests with
him, as a human ruler and a Christian
man, to say whether the saturnaIia of blood
shall continue throughout the next summer
or not. That be has any idea Of interfer-
eHce. or would dare to suggest such a thing
to England. if be felt personally inclined
TO. is impossible Whether he likes his
belligerents by understandings and engage
ments which neither England nor his do
nestle control would allow him to break,
or TO evade in the smallest degree He still
stands determinedly by the British Hay
Pauncefote agreement, nith its proposed
surrender Of the Monroe Doctrine. in def
ance of the country He is not likely to
break faith with Lord Salisbury in the mat
ter Of M South African war.
In view of these considerations. it is
not improper to appeal to his good heart
and conscience. not to coquette with the
simple South Africans who are coming TO
him with pathetic petition for the mercy
which they believe it is in his power to
show. 1t would be far better to tell them
plainly that they have nothing whatever
TO hope from this Administration. 1t
would be the part of honesty to advise
thenl-not necessarily for publication
that the peculiar relations of the Admin
lstration to the British Government render
1t impossible for the American executive
to be their friend. no matter how univer-
sally the American masses might demand
that it t-should be-
They will surely plead that it needs but
word from great America to bring joint
pressure from Continental Europe to bear
upon Great Britain. and pressure strong
enough to stop the war and save the in
dependence of the Beers. That is a propo-
sition which the Administration will not.
because it cannot. deny But it should not
temporize with them. They should be
firmly and finally notified that they have
nothing to expect on this side Of the At
lantic. Being so notified. the b:oodgu:lti-
ness for what may follow in the future
viii not rest upon the soul of the Presi
dent, whatever else may happen.