The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18


essays reprinted from the North Ameri-
can Review" eight in number. and each
by different author In spite Of the title.
il appears that most of the book is taken
up with pro- Boer arguments.
The first essay is by the Right Hon.
James Bryce NJ. F.. and is entitled The
Historical Causes OF the Present War in
South Africa" II 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 Transyaal" by Sydney Brooks. is
an outspoken argument in favor Of Eng
land and the following article A Niudi-
cation of the Beers is intended TO an
swer 10. and is signed "A Diplomat" Then
comes A Transvaal View OF the South
African Question by Or. r. V. Engelen-
burg editor of the Pretoria Nolkss+em.
The Transyaal War and European Cpiu-
ion. by Kari Blind. is strongly prC-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
MNuNtS. ana ll Is followed bA a toSSl-
bic Continental Alliance Against England. 80
by Demetrius q. Boulser. The last essay
ia the book is philosophy and Morals Of
War by Max Nordau which is a cool and
calm analysis Of war in comparison with
other evils.
This synopsis will give to the reader a
fairly good idc. of the material of the
book and the way in which it has been
handled. Altogether. the essays cannot be
nj. INN. sd nm
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
to form a dispassionate judgment Of the
merits of the case. For all that, the book
is interesting and a valuable addition 10
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
juba Hill, one of Ladysmith, and two or
three scenes OF native life.
Ii would be interesting 10 study the
mind OF the absolutely unprecedented and
untutored American who happens to have
perused this collection in the endeavor to
learn something about the subject His
opinions viii probably be in considerable
confusion. For example. he viii find 10
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
De soon. :he country viii go back INTO the
hands Of the simple agricultural Beers. or
men like them who can be content on lit
tie The author. DIR. Engelenburg, asks:
Can Uc picture tie wise King solomon de-
luan0ing jhc franchise fog DE subject, in the realm
ot tie Queen Of Shehas
As nobody is supposed TO have had
franchise in The time Of Solomon. this
query seems rather beside the question.
On the other hand. here is Mr.. Sydney
Brooks aveTring that gold mining in the I
Rand Is less hazardous and uncertain than /
elsewhere, and that the foreigners in Jo- !
haHnesburg are men who expect 10 spend I
their lives in the country either as en- /
ployes Of the mine owners or as trades
men and professional men. He says:
IN the TIansraal the Eugl.-I arc treated like
hahrs They have not oniy taxation without
lrTrcseuf alton i4lt f1z4tou without police with
oIf sanitation. without schools without i1sticc
without freedom Of the press. without liberty Of
association. Johannesburg IS ui-psved ul-lirhted
ora aboinifatly efficient ia drainage and water
supply because IN j. English.
Ii is possible that il King Solomon's sub
Jects had been extraordinarily uncomfort-
able in the dominion Of the Queen Of Sheba
that asiuto monarch might have come TO
some sort Of an understanding with his
fair neighbor even by force Of arms il nee
esssfy.
In tho 'Vindication OF the Beers which
follows Mr. Brooks article. We find this !
statement:
TIE essential motions 4 iuo-al'.l. il Dot Of