New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
THE TR4NSVAAL FRANCHISE.
CAPTAIN MAHAN's VIEW OF ITS RELATION
TO THE WAR CoNTRovERrED
To the Editor Of The Tribune

piiment rather than the reverse II q sincere ad-
mtrer OF his who has derived not only much In
struction but also great deal OF enjoyment from
MS books should ask for word of explanation
on a statement recently made by him In the public
press. which runs follows:
Concerning this particular action Oengthening the
term or franchise, etc., which is but incident
war. said I was not lawyer enough to know II it
that it was evidently Unjust and In P9s opinion Dst
Tauve OF the general characteristics Of the Boer
Now. seeing that !, with many Others think high
ly Of Captain Mahan's opinion" and would always
be proud to have it justify my own. permit me to
inquire how he explains the view that this par
ticular action was not in the least directly
nected with the war? When England made the
franchise question the avowed II not the real rea-
son for interfering in the Transvaal; when the
Colonial Secretary made Il the outward and Wis
iole sign Of the Outlanders' grievances; when Sir
Alfred Miner demanded instructed 20 de-
mand, reduction after reduction of the probation
period. II would though most vital issue
was involved in a particular action which Captain
Mahan says after all mot the least directly
connected with the war" Surely this statement
needs little elucdation to satisfy the understand
ing Of the average observer.
That the Outlander had other evils to complain Of
that England had other wrongs TO redress is both
possible and probable but that the franchise was
the important issue because it afforded the best
means OF attaining certain ends in the least con-
sPicuous manner is certainly the obvious conclu-
sion
Captain Mahan further SAYS that the law extend
ing the term Of franchise was evidently unjust"
Morally unjust. perhaps. 1t was but would moral
injustice Justify a political interference on the
part Of England? Would it give her legal right
TO intervene IN the domestic policy OF the Trans
vaal? not learned enough in international law
10 know how far a claim Of suzeranty would cover
this pretension, but here England seems to
be on the horns of dilemma.
The Beers say that suzerainty not recognized
OCliG bat
distinctly implied and understood But II the
treaty implied suzerainty II expressly stipulated
something else-that England should interfere
in the Transvaal government except in questions
Of exterior policy, foreign alliances etc. II the
treaty Acknowledges EngIands suzerainty Eng
land broke the treaty II she broke the treaty
what becomes Of her suzeranty, previous com
pacts having been superseded by this one? The
moral right 10 demonstrate the physical might TO
punish. still belong her, but simply and solely
as between free nations That Power should do
its utmost to protect its subjects in other lands
either by diplomatic means or by force OF arms is
both natural and proper. BY the first method Italy
has long been trying in vain TO have justice done
the lynchers Of her citizens United States.
We ourselves have more than tried with con-
siderable success the man-of-war argument in
South America, but the spectacle Of great empire
insisting that her subjects shoud-renouncing their
aIlegiance-be received citizens Of another gov
eminent on terms dictated by herself is and
curious phenomenon in the history Of the world. It
only be explained on the theory that the in
sisting Power means gradually and in the course
OF time TO absorb The lesser nation. Twist and
turn the situation you will this pressure OF in
sistence have but one meaning and It's success
could have but result
Over Cuba at present have q protectorate,
which the dictionary defines as "A relation as
sumed by stronger nation over weaker whereby
the former protects the latter from invasion or
dictation and interferes less with do
nestle concerns" In point Of fact. doing
more, we running the government Professionally;
giving, it were, the ship Of a trial trip
Suppose the time had come 10 hand the gov
eminent to the natives suppose the CUbans should
encourage American emigration and call for Amer
lean capital and enterprise TO develop their re-
sources (Which is unlikely; suppose that a
number OF subjects. respectable and tisrepu-
table, should flock there and continue to flock in
spite OF oppressive laws and heavy taxes-would
We be justified in using the immense pressure OF
moral right 1--WE having done much for Cuba
England for the TransvaaD and our physical
power TO force foreign subjects their govern
citizens after a term OF probation dictate
by ourselves? What a howl OF righteous indigna-
ton would rise all over the world the hypocrt-
teal greed OF the United States seeking bring
about by political influence that annexation it did
not dare accomplish by open force! Yet in Cuba,
small not there IS a native party in favor Of
annexation, whereas In the Transvaal every Boer
has his broad foot firmly planted on the platform
of independence.
We once allowed 4 free immigration that Included
the Chinese. We afterward restricted European
immigration and excluded the Chinese. Whether
the distinctions made wise whether IL was
just TO shut out entirely Industrious race
matters Of opinion. That had the political right
to do liked was questioned by some perhaps
because had at that time reached a sufficiently
sturdy stature 10 be reckoned with among the a
lions Of the earth To develop its resources the
Transvaal had invited and welcomed q foreign pop
ularion. When that element began TO menace the
continuance OF the traditional form Of government
it could neither get rid Of it even prevent more
coming in. All II could do 10 keep the Out
lander from voting long as possible. "Ce nest
pas magnihque. mails c'est la guerre"-of self-de-
fence. If the Transvaa chooses 10 be ruled by Its
own oppressive and, told. corrupt oligarchy
rather than by olgarChy OF foreign capitalists
that the people instinctvey feel would turn their
little, narrow. unprogressve but cherished world
topsy-turvy. who can blame them? II they prefer
their covered. mud incrusted. inert King Log
TO the live. long beaked hungry King Stork who
greatly wonder?
The choice may stupid 10 other people. but.
then these people do not happen be the partic-
ular frogs Of that particular frog pond National
existence is long. and even with a fourteen year
franchise and other obstacles with Eng
land would have got there In time. But individ-
ual life is short, and the ambition OF the states
man and the Impotence of the monopost endeav-
ored 70 swallow at gulp what might better have
been absorbed little by little
The morsel seems TO stick somewhat IN England's
throat just at present. That she Will eventually
get IL down few people deny. That it Will agree
with constitution Of her own best thinkers
and writers seriously doubt God is generally on
the side Of the heaviest battalions'-when they are
well Leland IN the progressive course OF empire il
may become necessary that Carthage should be de-
stroyed But what Carthage willingly sub
mitted 20 destruction? self-preservation Is the
strongest instinct in human nature. and national
self-pTeSeryation has become virtue called love