New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-07
MR.. BRYCE, MISCHIEF MAKER

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: From our volume Of trade with the United
States the citizens of Bradford, Yorkshire. ara
peculiarly sensitive TO American opinion. and
from the fact that much if not most OF the wool
grown in South Africa finds its way to Bradford
sooner or later. in one form or another, our men
of business have special information in connec-
ton with South African NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. de-
rived from agricultural and commercial sources
rather than from financial channels
1 write, therefore. as Member OF Parliament
for the Exchange or Central Division OF Brad
ford, avaiIing myself Of the courtesy OF the Lon
don correspondent of The Tribune. 70 reply 70
the amazing article which appears in the Decer-
Der number Of THE North American Review
written by James Bryce. Member Of Parliament
for Aberdeen. Privy Councillor and Under Sec
rotary of State for Foreign Affairs IN the last
Government OF Mr.. Gladstone. This article has
only come into my hands within the last few
days, and desire, If may, to reply TO II
through you. with as little delay as possible. as
the mischief It has done and is doing. both IN
the United States and in South Africa. Ii In
calculable.
In taking UP the cause OF our oppressed coun-
trymen in the Transvaal here In the old
country have derived infinite consolation from
the support of our free. self governing colonies
and we desire above everything to stand well IN
OF
who with a common lineage language. nters-
ture and laws. pioneers with ourselves Of
that form Of civilization which. imperfect though
IT may be. is. in its conception OF civil and reg-
ious liberty, Of justice and mercy. essential to
the progress OF the world AS a great export
nation you have common interests with our
selves. and feel that the clear understanding
or alliance between US with respect TO the policy
OF free ports in neutral markets viii tend n
future to the peace of the world
In the case of your with Spain-a war
waged solely in the cause OF good government
you had our moral support. and we have been
wondering II you would accord US support
in return. perceiving that the two cases are alb
solutely parallel as regards the first cause OF
war.
MIR. BRYCE IN 1896 AND 1899.
OF Mr.. Bryce's article so far as the narrative
is concerned, I have nothing to say except that
1t is a remarkable illustration OF the way IN
which history is written. for while his writings
In 1896 have been generally regarded as a justi-
fication of the British policy Of expansion in
South Africa his writings in 1899 appear TO be
IN condemnation of It: but 1t is impossible 20
press the feeling Of disgust which Mr.. Bryce has
created by his statement "of the legal position
of the two parties TO the war; as he terms It at
the close Of his article. Under the plea OF max
ing legal statement he has drawn up an indict-
ment of the Government OF his country during
time of war; he has deliberately invited the
public Of another country to condemn the ac-
ton of his fellow countrymen: he has made out a
case for foreign intervention. and he has used
language which would justify the Dutch Of Cape
Colony in taking up in support OF the
Beers. The Transvaal Government has used its
utmost efforts to bring about rising Of the
Dutch throughout Cape Colony by the distribu-
OF seditiOus literature. including extracts from
the writings and speeches OF Mr.. Bryce and his
colleague. Sir William Harcourt; and yet. not
content with the harm he did prior TO the out
break of war. Mr.. Bryce now. at great crisis.
uses language which is direct Indictment to
the Cape Dutch TO rise.
In plain English Mr.. Bryce states:
First-That the grievances Of the OutIander
population have been generally exaggerated
second-That the cause of the war was not a
grievance for the redress OF which Britain had
any right to interfere"
Third-That 1.-The Beers made concessions"
Fourth-That notwithstanding these conces-
sions. the British Ministry used language OF
menace
Fifth-"That.' being convinced that the Brit
ish Government had resolved to coerce them
and being in sore strait" they took the
course which must have been expected from
them. and. indeed. the only course which brave
men who are not going to make any further con-
cessions could have taken"
This is Mr.. Bryce's Indictment against the
Government of his country at a time OF war.
and. assuming his statements to be well founded.
the question arises. Has he not contravened the
royal proclamation by rendering assistance to
the Queens enemies? But. are his statements
well foundedY