The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-11
WHY SHOULD w WISH TRIUMPH
ron kN0LANDS
Tho Possible Danger 10 Us In tho strength
ening of British Aggressive Confidence.

ening of British Aggressive Confidence.
To THE EDITOR OF The suS-Sir! I hear the
argument used among the comparatively small
number OF my acquaintance who are thick
and-thin supporters Of the English pretensions
In South Africa. that mere selfish regard tor
our own interests dictates that we should de-
sire the complete victory OF Great Britain over
the Beers, England being our best customer.
] have also read In newspapers articles 10 the
same effect. their theory being that success for
the Beers would imperil the British Empire
and thus hurt US comm ercially.
Ia the first place. whether Great Britain suc-
ceeds or falls In It's attempt to crush out
independent republican government In South
Africa. the integrity Of the British Empire will
really remain unaffected. though its military
powor would DO enhanced by victory. II its
existence depended on such a contingency It's
downfall would be speedy. II little side issue
Ike tho Boer war Is Of vital consequence 10
Its persistence It's enemies have good reason to
hope for its overthrow.
The triumph OF England In South Africa,
however. would unguestionably initiate the
English sense Of the aggressive power Of the
British Empire and make its Government
more confident In gushing Its demands In all
directions. The war would end with Great
Britain having in the field the greatest army It
had ever possessed. and that army would bs
flushed. arrogant with victory. British power
would have been established In new aud In
creased strength In South Africa, Moreover.
the war would have produced and demonstrated
u consolidation OF the Empire heretofore un-
known almost unsupported. Tho participation
of Colonial troops from Canada and Australia
a-..1l 49, IA - ma. l. A.. -
never before reached. and the service rendered
by them would have IMPOSED on the central
Government obligations In return OF serious
consequence TO the world and to this country
more particularly.
The only European State which has territory
lying contiguous to our own Is England. It's
Canadian boundary extends from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. and its lnsular possessions TO the
southwark Of our domain are on the other
side. So long rs Great Britain occupies such q
position with reference to us there Is always
danger OF trouble-the only danger that now
possibly menaces us. With Mexico. our
only other neighbor. thore Is no pros.
rect OF implications. 1t Is a republic and
It is American. Moreover. under Presld.nt
Dlaa. It Is distinctly friendly: whereas
Canada Is always at variance with us. and tho
latest exhibition Of that spirit has appeared In
the Alaska boundary negotiations, Even when
the home Government at London was disposed
to come to terms on that question agreeable to
us and to justice. Canada refused it's consent.
1t preferred to keep open the sore. II now,
through the aid OF Canadian troops. whose
proves has been celebrated by the British
Government and Generals with artful DIS.
%tinction, the overthrow OF the South
African republics should be ACCOMPLISHED.
Canada would have imposed on the homo
Government an obligation TO sustain IL In It's
unwarrantable demands as to the Alaska
boundary. even to the EXTREMIST point: and
that 1t would insist on such support the tone
Of the Canadian people now makes certain.
Suggestions Of friendliness toward Us on the
part OF England have been made as a reason
for our Withholding sym patty from the Beers,
but so long as the Alaskan boundary question
remains unsettled unfriendly possibilities
loom up. No 5 gn Of any yielding In the Cana.
dian pretensions appears. but rather indica-
tons OF a disposition in the home Govern
ment 10 adopt them as It's own against US.
Canada" says the Westminster Gazette OF Lon
don. has secured the right 70 be firmly and
courageously backed by the Imperial Govern
mpnt In all she claims. with justice. in Alaska"
1T is no time proceeds that paper.'to finch at
the moment when the Canadians have doubled
their right to protection for their Alask an In
terests and these interes SITS are threatened anew
with arbitrary treatment"
That offensive spirit against us at once finds
expression when England begins to arise from
the depression and humiliation OF defeats in
South Africa. Where. then, IL the British
frien lship. OF which we have heard SO much?
Where. then. Is the alliance Of hearts" between
kindred peoples, Joint inheritors OF the 'glori-
ous treasury Of English specch2"
With Canada stretching across our northern
boundary. always captious. always envious and
jealous OF our Incompatible progress AMI pros
perity. while the British dependency remains
stagnant. with Canada earning and pressing a
new title to Imperial support and assistance in
its pretensions against US. as a consequences
OF its contribution to British triumph in
destroying republican independence In South
Africa. would there not be danger rather Of a
cor Aict with Great Britain. the only conflict Of
which there is now any premonition for this
American Republic' AMERICAN.
New YORK. March 10.