The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-17
MoNTAGU WHITES THREAT.


The threat made by Mr.. Montagu
White, the representative of the Beers in
this country, namely, that the Beers
would burn johannesburg and wreck the
gold mines near that city, in their efforts
TO defend Pretoria, is not likely to help
the cause of the Beers There is no salts
factory reason why johannesburg should
be wantonly destroyed The reason given
by Mr.. White for its destruction is not one
that would be regarded as sufficient by
anybody except the Beers themselves, and
the most extreme of their sympathizers.
johannesburg is a splendidly built city,
and its destruction would involve a loss
of at least $150.0O),000. 1t does not belong
to the British government, but to indi-
viduals from all parts of the world, many
Of them being Americans. No doubt the
Beers themselves own real estate there
Mr.. White says that it would be Destroy
cd In order to deprive the British army
marching on Pretoria, of the advantages
Of the shelter which it would offer 1t is
hardly probable that the British soldiers
would be quartered in residences and
were left standing. They have tents and
everything that is necessary for comfort
in camp life. Mr.. White knows probably
that the commander of the British would
not risk having property injured BY using
the dwellings and stores of Johannesburg
as quarters for his troops.
1t may be that the Beers have no inten-
a ~, ;
Mr. White uttered his threat with the
view of alarming the owners of property
in that city and getting them to use their
influence in the interest Of peace. The
Beers have been warned by the British
government that for wanton destruction
of property they will be held responsible,
and that their farms will be taxed to pay
the claims for damages. That undoubted-
ly would be the course pursued In the
event that Johannesburg and the gold
mines were purposely destroyed. 1t would
take the Beers many years to pay the
claims that the burning of that city
would saddle upon them. And its de-
struotion would not assist them IN
repeling the invaders To burn it, there
fore, would be short sighted policy. The
Beers should he careful TO avoid doing
anything that is contrary TO civilized war
fare. There may he considerable more
fighting, but the indications are that the
end of the war is not very far off. 1t is
better for the Beers TO be in a position to
make favorable terms when the time for
| surrender comes than to have a record
that would lead the victors to insist upon
conditions that would be oppressive The
Free state Beers are now out of the war
practically, and the Transvaal Beers are
left TO contend alone against the invad-
/ ers. That President Kruger has not much
| hope of making a successful resistance is
| shown by his request for terms of peace.
! That the two republics will lose their in
| dependence there is no doubt. And they
| will lose control Of their local affairs in
| the Transvaal because they will be put on
! a political equality with the outlanders.
and therefore will be outvoted in the cleo
| tons. The Transyaal, and perhaps the
| Orange Free State will become essential
| ly British. This is of course sad for The
Beers. They have made a brave fight. No
| government is going to interfere in their
| behalf, and they are too weak to success.
| fully resist Great Britain.