The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-30
No Intervention.

really entertain IL, tndt EUROPE Is wall
ing only for the leadership of the Unit
ed States to intervene in the South Az
rcan dispute. is based upon wishes rath-
er than facts or probabilities. That II
is mere dream is evident to. any man
who keeps his wits about him and looks
at the world with waking eyes. The
United States has not q sincere friend
on the continent Of Europe; let us make
no mistake about that. With the pos
sible exception Of Russia, we doubt IL
there is one Of them that would not
rejoice. openly or secretly, at anything
which should humble the pride of the
great republic whose existence threat
ems the stability of every monarchy, or
break the power Of the great CONNER
cial rival of them all. We need go no
farther back than our war with Spain to
fathom their feelings. 1t will be anoth-
err age than this when Europe engages
in any military movement because
America is its leader.
Larger and quite as emphatic is the
fact that the day Of Intervention is past.
Europe still intends to maintain the
balance Of power, and will not let the
status Of any European government be
changed. Beyond that no power will
go. for good or Ill. For Intervention in
a conflict already declared means war;
and war Is business 20 deadly, so
costly in blood and treasure, so preg-
nant with undreamed-of consequences
that no country will risk it except in
the last extremity. Had the people Of
Great Britain themselves seen all that
would come out Of the issue with the
Beers, they would have made any rea-
sonable terms and hurled any ministry
from power to prevent II.
We do not need to rely upon any alb
stract opinion. Within five years we
have had three conclusive demonstra-
tions of fact. The massacre Of Chris
tians in Armenia was the most horrible
crime of this century. 1t surpassed in
its proportions many of the bloody
events OF earlier ages that are men,
1t was causeless. 1t was not induced
by political reasons, but was the mere
wreaking OF race hatred and religious
fanatieism. The whole world looked on
appalled, at atrocities such as none but
the Turk dared perpetrate. But there
was no intervention With one accord
the so-called Christians stayed their
hand while the work went on. They
could have stopped it. they dared not
II there was no intervention here. then
1t would be hopeless ever to expect II.
The idea was bruited about again dur
ing our war with Spain. That power
expected II confidently. She went into
the fight with us believing that nearly
all Europe would be at her back. The
American republic had demanded of a
European power that it give independ-
ence to one of its own colonies. Span.
ish ENJOYS thronged every court and
represented to every sovereign the men,
ace OF the precedent. II this was toIer-
ated, then, they asked, who was safe
And the will TO second them was good
Not power in Europe stood our friend
but Great Britain. Yet with that
friendship or without It, there would
have been no Intervention. For that
word is synonymous with war. 1t has
come to have no other meaning. And
no government in Europe would try is
sues with US in arms In a Quarrel TO
which IT was not an original party.
The same strange idea found lodg-
ment in the Boer mind. The people Of
the South African republics knew that
they had the active sympathy. possibly
the secret assistance of Germany. They
knew that their cause would appeal pow
erfully To- the citizens OF this republic
They knew that the hatred of France for
England IS even bitterer than of old.
They believed that Russia was waiting
only the opportunity 10 leap her bound
aries in Asia and wrest India from Eng
lands grasp. There was no possible
ally FOR Great Britain. ana she found
none. Yet no one of these hostile ma
tions slipped the leash. There has been
IN talk of Intervention outside OF South
Africa itself; because no country, friend
~ foe of England, would be justified in
inviting the awful consequences to its
people Of an unprovoked contest.
So there has never been the least In