New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-13
ENEMIES OF SUCCESS.

One of the most apt and significant comments
upon the South African war, rather upon the
attitude of Europe toward it, recently made
by the Emperor of Austria why" exclaimed
that shrewd political observer and philosopher
''all the ragtag and bobtail of Europe seem to
be banded against Englandr' 1t was and Is ex-
actly true and true not only of Europe Wher-
ever in the world a political adventurer or a
social outcast of shadest antecedents is to be
found, there is to be found foe of Great Brit
ain in this war. We do not of course, mean
that all who are against England are of such
classes, but simply that all of such classes are
against England. We are well aware that many
men Of the highest character and greatest worth
condemn the course of the British Government
toward the Beers. But it is equally true, as the
Emperor said. that all the ragtag and bobtail
that same side: and this is fact Of
general as well of special significance.
The Adventures and outcasts-and extremists
of all kinds-are, we have said, foes of England
We do not say they friends of the Beers
They are not. They have no regard for the
Transvaal unless for the share in the plumber of
the gold mines the millions disbursed by DR.
Leyds which they hope TO get. 1t is absurd to
talk of Russian absolutist having any real
love for a country that is called republic, or of
a red Socialist having any for land in which
he and his doctrines would be mathematical
1t is prepOsterOus TO suppose that all those who
a year ago scarcely knew the difference be-
tween Boer and kopje are now moved by pro-
found conviction in falling upon their Transyaal
brothers neck and swearing eternal friendship
1t is not love for the Beers, but ii is hatred of
England that moves them. And the source of
that motive is to be found in the one thing
which England possesses in marked degree
and lack OF which is common to all those who
are thus banded against her.
That thing is success. Beyond all doubt
Great Britain has been succeeding in her enter
prses in manner unrivalled and unapproached
by any other European nation The growth of
her empire, the upbuilding of her colonies, the
extension of her commerce and the maintenance
OF her sea power are verltable wonders of the
world. The increase of her domestic wealth,
too, is quite phenomenal and unique These cir
eumstances may well provoke the jealousy and
envy of others. But above them all is the fact
that these things attained along with the
maintenance of both high social order and broad
popular freedom. That is the point that mad
dens England's foes. One cries that in abso-
lutsm and despotic repression alone is social
order safe: and yet he sees such order more Sc
cure in Great Britain than in Russia itself. An
other insists that only in social chaos is freedom
to be found; and he is confronted In England
with the spectacle OF the freest people in Europe
voluntarily maintaining the highest social order
Great Britain succeeds where they fail and sue
ceeds in spite Of all their theories and logic 10
the contrary; wherefore they hate her with bitter
hatred
We have said that this fact has a general sig
nificance, and it is SO. Great Britain is not
alone in this experience Other nations have
had It. too In degree, even the United
States of America. In our domestic politics 1t is
no uncommon thing. The man who succeeds or