New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-06
NOT ASKED TO MEDIATE.
ATTITUDE OF THIS GOVERNMENT TOW
ARD THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
THE PRESIDENT WILL NOT TENDER HIS
GOOD OFFICES UNLESS A REQUEST
COMES FROM BOTH BEL
LIGERENTS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.J

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, Jan. BIT is pointed out at the
State Department that the popular movement
reported in press dispatches from Belgium, hav-
ing In view a petition to President Mckinley
asking him to offer mediation to the belliger
ents in South Africa, Is altogether misdirected
and exhibits a painful ignorance of the Ameri-
can policy of abstention from intruding in mat
ters which are none of this country's business
1t is suggested that such a petition could have
no direct influence in the direction of terminal
ing hostilities if it proposes to induce the United
States to take the initiative toward secur-
ing amcable settlement of the quarrel
Both belligerents are already presumably
aware of the historical attitude of the
United States, last conspcuously shown as late
the between China and Japan. in always
being ready to its good Offices to avoid or
end strife when the invitation comes from both
dsputants not from one alone, and not from
a mere outsider
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS KNOWN.
Great Britain and the South African Republic
that the President would accept
promptly and with pleasure any suggestion of
mediation that from both Of them, but up
to this time neither of these Governments has
given the slightest intimation that it desires
anything but strict neutrality from the United
States. 1t is true that just before hostities be-
gan President Steyn of the Orange Free State,
through his Consul General at New-York. Mr..
Pierce, desired the friendly intervention Of
President Mckinley in the hope of averting
war, but concurrent request of similar
nature came from England and the President
therefore abstained from volunteering his good
offices where they apparently would have been
unwecome Since that time suggestion of
a desire to arbitrate to put end to fighting
has been manifested, however guardedy, to
this Government by the countries concerned, and
reports to the contrary are autEoritatiVely char
acterized false.
POSSIBLE FORM OF PROCEDURE
IT is probable that should Great Britain in
dicate her wish to have the President attempt
peaceful solution of the difficulty, the American
Consul at Pretoria would promptly ask Presi-
dent KRUGER if he desired to unite in the re-
quest This procedure is made possible by Presi-
dent Steyn's earlier request and by the State
Departments declinatiOn to receive General
U OBeirne. who was understood be charged
with powers from Pretoria to ask for mediation
in the event of England being willing to leave
the dispute to arbitration. Officially, it is said
the United States cannot bring to the attention
OF the British Government a Boer request for
land would become aware of such a request as
soon as it was made, and would Immediately
have an opportunity to make an identical propo-
sition.
The idea that ex-Consul Macrum is hurrying
back to the United States with such a PROPOSE
ton from President Kriiger is regarded as pre-
posterous at the State Department.