The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18
Two Books on the TransvaaI.


essays reprinted from the North Ameri-
can Review" eight in number, and each
by a different author. In spite of the title,
it appears that most of the book is taken
up with pro-Boer arguments.
The first essay is by the Right Hon.
James Bryce. NJ. P. and is entitled The
Historical Causes of the Present War in
South Africa 1t is the longest of the
papers. and deals exhaustively with the
character of both English and Boer resi-
dents Of the Transvaal. and is, on the
whole favorable to England. England
and the Transvaal," by Sydney Brooks, is
an outspoken argument in favor of Eng
land, and the following article, "A Vindi-
cation of the Beers" is intended TO an
swer it. and is signed "A Diplomat" Then
comes "A Transvaal View of the South
African Question" by Dr. f. V. Engelen
burg. editor of the Pretoria Volksstem.'
The Transvaal War and European cpin-
ion" by Kari Blind, is strongly pro- Boer.
as is also The South African Question -
by Andrew Carnegie. viii the Powers
Intervene in the War; is a scholarly and
diplomatic article by Francis Charmes,
foreign editor of the Revue des Deux
Mondes." and il is followed by "A Posi-
bic Continental Alliance Against England, -
by Demetrius e. Boulger. The last essay
in the book is philosophy and Morals of
War" by Max NOrdau. which is cool and
calm analysis of war in comparison with
other evils.
This synopsis will give to the reader a
fairly good ide. of the material of the
book and the way in which it has been
handled. Altogether, the essays cannot be
said to give very complete impression
of the situation; or to be very profound
in their dealings with the problems in
volved. Some of the articles are dictated
by thorough knowledge of the situation
and calm insight into its possibilities. but
such opinions as Mr.. Carnegie's, for ex,
ample, are so full of prejudice as to be
worth very little to the reader who wishes
10 form dispassionate judgment Of the
merits of the case. For all that, the book
is interesting, and a valuable addition to
the somewhat inadequate library of litera-
ture on the war in South Africa.
The illustrations are mostly portraits In
half-tone, though there is a picture of Ma
iuha Hill. one of Ladysmith and two or
three scenes of native life.
II would be interesting 10 study the
mind of the a5solutely unprecedented and
untutored American who happens TO have
perused this collection in the endeavor to
learn something about the subject. His
opinions will probably be in considerable
confusion. For example. he will find in
one essay the statement that the prosperity
of South Africa is on an entirely fictitious
basis, and that when the gold and dia-
mond mines are worked out which must
be soon. the country will so back into the
hands CT the simple agricultural Beers. or
men like them. who can be content on lit
tie. The author, DIR. Engelenburg, asks:
Can we picture the wise King solomon de-
handing the franchise Tor his subjects in the realm
OF the Queen OF Shebal
AS nobody is supposed TO have had a
franchise in the time of solomon, this
query seems rather beside the question.
On the other hand, here is MIR. Sydney
Brooks averring that gold mining in the
Rand is less hazardous and uncertain than
elsewhere, and that the foreigners in Jo-
are men who expect to spend
their lives in the country. either as en-
ployes of the mine owners or as trades
men and professional men. He says:
In the Transvaal, the English arc treated like
nafirs They have not only taxation without
cprcseniAtion, but taxation without police with
.nf sanitation, without schools. without Justice
Without freedom OF the press. without liberty Of
ssociation- Johannesburg is ilI-paved lI-lighted
nd abominahly deficient in drainage and water
uPply, because il il English.
1t is possible that if King solomon's sub
iects had been extraordinarily uncomfort-
able in the dominion of the Queen OF Sheba
hat asiute monarch might have come TO
'ome sort OF an understanding with his
air neighbor even by force Of arms if nee
sssary.
In tho "Vindication OF the Beers" which
follows Mr.. Brooks article, We find this
statement:
The essential notions 81 morality, il not of
utilization, perEade the Trsnsvaal State What
missing in II Is set Of institutions and ideas
productive Of wellbeing and luxury.
But coed drainage in a big city can
hardly be called luxury. 1t is more like
4 necessity. IL that is one of the things
which the writer OF the article thinks the
Boer is free to call the curses of civil
lization,' most enlightened people will
disagree with him. Again, Mr.. Bryce says:
The virtues which bad adorned their rustic SIM
plicity yielded, in too many instances to the
temptations presented by the control Of a large
evenue and by the power OF granting valuable
oncessions Thus the Administration became not
MY inefficient, but TO some extent corrupt.
II honest government does not belong to
he essential notions Of morality" what
iOes2 Are justice and fair dealing "luxu-
les or among the curses OF civilization?
On The whole, about half the prof. oer |
arguments remind one of the small boys !
-etoTt in controversy, You're an
,ther." Certainly, however. the Boer side .
If the question has never been more forci- !
bly, presented than in this book. and the !
reader can peruse ii with care and take !
'ides at his pleasure. tNew York: Harper
Brothers. sI25.)
side Lights on South Africa" is a pic |
uresque piece of writing by Roy Dew !
'reux, and contains an immense amount Of |
Information, presented in rather a loose /
ana Informal style. IL also contains TWO |
II three character sketches, which will be |
If general interest at this time. One is |
hat OF Cecil Rhodes:
There is in Mr. Rhodes character, beyond his |
lndoubiod genins Tor finance element o. real !
,rrstness His enthusiasm Tor that blend u sub /
inc ideal and f&tuous sham which We call tie !
mreria idea, is a sincere enthusiasm. To him /
England writ large over the Continent Of Af.ica {
5 cult, not 4 stalking horse. He has neither |
iart nor lot in the scrdid ambitions Of his fol. !
overs, whom he uses lions jackals The /
Ciossal fortune which he has CHASED gives him !
% personal plessure-his tastes Of the simplest
but it has helped him further toward the ga.,l I
4 HE ambition than any other weapon could /
ave done That p1ofund conviction that mn I
an he most easily nled through their vices
'Ath u 30 ClAiVttfiA.lC OF nm, mace nm realize
low great advantage impregnable financial |
'osition might be in game OF party politics. !
OF Kruger the author says:
The spectacle of an ignorant peasant imposing
vexstioUs rule an educated multitude strikes |
ne a relic Of barharisn, the subsistence Of 1
which is, after ALL the greatest testimony to Pres
dent krugsrs ability. His is the strength TO /
II siill-thst invulnerabie strength which only |
Ones nom the lack Of learning and of imagna- |
Ion. Nothing like it can be found in the history |
= modem times; there vas nothing TO compare !
With * IN medieval DAYS. By some strange process
4 Siayisn. Paul kruger seems TO reincarnate the !