The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-01
c4rsusstion Statement.
rne Rrttisn and the noers.

1t is rather unusual thing for Brit
ish Ministry to put out political feeler
through the columns Of a strictly eco
nomic and financial publication like the
London Statist.'' but that is what seems
to have been done. according to current
opinion in the British capital, in eonnec-
ton with an article which appeared in to
days issue of the periodical in question.
The 'Statist'r proposes that the Gov
eminent. through the civil authorities in
Cape Colony. shall approach Generals
Botha and De Wet. suggest that they stop
lighting. guarantee them against depor-
tation. and offer them seats in the South
African Legislative Council. a body to be
created hereafter This course, the Stat
ist'' thinks. might bring about an accom-
mediation with the Beers and lead to a
speedy. cessat ton OF hostiIities witch are
being conducted much too long and too
vigorously TO be advantageous TO British
interests The article says:
eve are losing IN every way. losing in prestige.
and losing III trade We are seeing our south
African possessions plunged into greater and
greater distress; and El4e opinion Is gaining
ground abroad that are incapable OF bring
ing the struggle to = satisfactory termination
This is plain language t. come from an
influential technical Journal. read widely
BY the British governing md financial
classes. It gees 10 show that the sharp
voice OF a 7=7szssd opinion has at last pene-
trated John Bulls ear-drum deafened
hitherto by the Internal noise II his war
drum Probably II IS fact rat if he
could do it and save his face. Lord Sails
bury would be only too glad to come 10
terms with the South African Dutch. He
and everyone else from the venerable
Queen down to Tommy Atkins IS heartily
tired 81 the Boer war And the men who
must foot the bills are by no means alb
sent-minded on the subject of economic
consequences 10 follow the piIing up Of a
public war debt growing even nOw at the
tate Oh I'VE millioE pounds a week
Only a few paragraphs and the gen
eral substance of the s+Statist's'' sensa-
tIonaI leader we're eabied last
night. The article charges the
military authorities with incom-
potency. and strongly deDreeates
Weylering the stricken country Alto
gether, ii seems 20 open way for dis
cussion of a plan OF paciheatiou without
cruelty. Something of the kind should
be tried, if only to set Great Britain
right in the eyes of mankind Possibly
no sort q terms short of independence
would be accepted by the Dutch leaders.
In his remarks at MarseilIes. President
Kruger declared that unless that we're
granted his people would fight until the
last Boer man, woman, and child had been
exterminated. a like irreconcIlabIe spirit
may iratue Sofia. De Wet, Steyn. and
their COMPANIONS in arms The British
Government ma be destined to face con-
tinued resistance in the VaaI and Orange
River territories, and serious rebellion
IA Cape Colony. in spite of anything il
can now do TO secure peace. But nothing
will be lost by an honest and generous
attempt 10 bring the war to an end by
the use Of mild methods. The struggling
burghers have won the respect and ad-
miration of the whole civilized world By
their gallant and heroic defence Of their
homes and liberties. Lord Salisbury can
well AFFORD to acknowledge and reeog-
nize their bravery and sturdy devotion tc
a cause which TO them is sacred, in offer
ing them terms which they could accept
with honor and dignity