The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-17
The Boer Appeal.

The more it becomes apparent that popn-
lar sympathy in the United States is strong
and outspoken in favor OF the South Afrl-
can Republics. the greater appears the
chance that the Boer ENJOYS now in the
country may be able to force the Mckinley
Administration into some expressisn which.
while necessarily insincere, might be SUI
fcient to kindle the flame of Intervention
In Europe. We have before explain that
the President and his Foreign Minister e
too completely tied to the British imperial
policy and interests ever TO dare anything
actively in behalf of the Afrikanders who
are fighting for their homes and independ-
ence. But how far Mr.. Mckinley and Mr..
Hay might think it safe TO go in the way Of
perfunctory expressions OF sympathy.
strictly for effect, it would be hard to
guess.
Something like a sympathetic attitude
toward the ENJOYS may be necessary from
the point OF view of domestic politic=. 1t
is no; improbable that, in the present
emergency, Lord Salisbury might be will
Ing IL he could venture that far. to give
the Administration nearly free hand in
the matter of twisting the lions tail. The
question is, could he take such risk? We
think rot. Since the outbreak Of the war
last October the powers Of Europe have
been prevented from intervening, largely
because they have received strong hints
that il England were attacked, a warlike
.Anglo-American alliance would be uncov-
cred This idea was greatly encouraged
by the appearance OF a firm understanding
between the two countries on the QUESTION
Of the Chinese open door
AS matters stand. we are not prepared to
believe that the British Prime Minister
would willingly consent to any action or
utterance. proceeding from his Washington
allies. that would tend to remove the i'm
preston so carefully and shrewdly imposed
upon Europe several months ago. Mere
expressions of popular feeling might not
count for much: might not amount to more
than the pro-Spansh sentiment Of Europe
during our late war with Spain. But any
Official encouragement to the Beers by the
President or the State Department would
be far different matter. 1t would b,
nearly certain to result In a Joint note
from several Continental Governments.
asking the United States to back its views
by combining with the signatories in q
common diplomatic movement against Eng
land for the purpose of stopping the war
and guaranteeing the independence OF the
South African Republic and the Orange
Free State.
Such sentiments would be neither an i'm
VIII Tn
nection with the Russo-Turkish war of
1s11-1S, it will be remembered that Russia
practically conquered Turkey In Europe
and advanced her army to within sight of
Constantinople. imposing what terms of
peace she pleased in the Treaty of San
Stefano. But England declared that peace
between Russia and Turkey could not be
permitted under the principle of the force
majeure OF the victor, but that its terms
and conditions were the concern and were
within the jurisdiction of the nations of
Europe acting jointly. So the fruits of con-
guest were snatched from Russia by the
Congress of Berlin, just as, years later,
the fruits of the Chinese war were with
held from Japan by the interference of
huSsld Ever sinCe the Udtlle Oh DuuQee,
in Natal, there has always been the chance
that the powers Of Europe. on the initiative
of one which heretofore has had to take
the same medicine, might politely insist
upon a cessation of hostilities and an ac-
commodation agreeable to the Intervening
Governments. If, at any time during the
past six months, the Mckinley Admins
tration had evinced the slightest inclina-
tion to join In or wink at such movement,
It would have materialized instanter
Even now, 1t would take but a small
degree OF encouragement from Washing
ton to precipitate foreign Intervention
and that is consideration which will rem
der the position of our authorities a pain
fully delicate one in the face OF the press
ure of popular sentiment, which is certain
to be brought to bear within the next few
weeks. as a result OF the mass meetings
which will be held all over the country to
greet and encourage the Boer ENJOYS.