Washington sentinel., 1900-02-17
PROTECTIVE PRESIDENT
DIsHONOR COUNTRTI

FHOV y ~ z ' ~ K - - w. ~
DISHONOR COUNTRNl
The Administration men in the
Senate and House are playing
what seems to be a strong card
to protect the President and
Secretary Hay against the charge
OF being so straight in their atti-
tude of neutrality towards the
South African opponents that they
lean over backwards toward Eng.
land. They say The Hague Peace
Convention does not affect the
United States in any Oft terms in
the present case because neither
Of the belligerents has thus far ap-
piled tor intervention" and, OF
course, the peace treaty which the
United States Senate has Just rati-
fed imposes no obligations oi a
tender Of friendly mediation upon
the Administration.
Article OF The Hague treaty
says:
independently Of this recourse, the
signatory powers recommend that one
OF more powers, strangers to the dispute
should on their own initiative and as Tar
as circumstances allow, offer their good
Offices or m sdiation to the States at
variance. Powers, strangers to the
dispute, have the right to offer good
Offices or mediation, even during the
course OF hostilities The exercise OF
this right can never be regarded by one
or the other of the parties in conflict as
an untriendly act.
1t is no secret that it was only
under strong pressure from all ele-
ments of the Senate combined, in
cluding prominent Republicans,
that the treaty was called up in ex-
ecutive session by Senator Davis,
chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Relations, for considera-
tion and approval. The Admins
.tration forces we're anxious to sus-
pend its consideration, so as not to
bind their hands in any way for the
Tree exer Use OF our friendly Offices
in behalf OF Great Britain under the
secret alliance. Just what the Ad-
,minlstration' neutrality amounts
to is apparent from the following
Associated Press dispatch:
New York, Feb. 8.-Three steamships
that are practically, IL not actually,
British transports, have arrived In port.
They are the Dominica Larriniga, the
Barton and the Hyanthos. The former
two will load in Brooklyn and the latter
at Jersey City. A II three will take on
cafgoes of ca 5alry food. They register
In the neIghborhood of 5000 tons each,
and will carry about I2o 600 bushels Of
oats and 40. 600 bales of hay apiece.
The steam ship St. Dunston sailed
today for South Africa loaded almost
entirely with flour, wheat and provisions,
of which she carries over 5000 tons
The Bucentaur, now loading, is taking
on a similar cargo Of 5000 tons,
Thus the Administration in spite
Of the overwhelming pro Boer SEN
timent OF the American people,
expressed in innumerable mass
meetings held in all parts Of the
country, is openly countsnancing
the most fragrant violations OF
neutrality in the interest OF Eng
land, and contributing its utmost
in the destruction of the two repub-
lies Of South Africa.
AS to the assertion ot the Ad-
ministration that this Government
is powerless un,ler the Hague
treaty to offer mediation for the
settlement OF the war, it is easy to
show that this is an adroit subter-
iuge to protect the Administration
from the consequences Of its offen-
sive friendship for Great Britain.
From the control which England
exercises over the cable and mail
services from every point in South
Africa, including Laurence Mar
ques, the President and Secretary
Hay are fully aware that no official
communication from the republics
can reach the outside world. AT
Laurence Marques the British spy
system is so perfect and so active
that neutrals coming and going BY
way of Delagoa Bay are having
their luggage searched on board
French and German steamers, and
have been made to surrender their
effects at the point Of gun. The
consular mail OF this country as
we'll as OF Germany, is being riheC
by British agents in all parts o
South Africa. It is seli.evident
under these circumstances that i
fe a nhvsfcal imnoeash;Iikay E,r m,