New-York tribune., 1900-03-19
MEDIATION. NOT INTERFERENCE.
THE ESCAPE OF THE ADMINISTRATION FROM A
THANKLEss TASK.


THANKLEss TASK
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: There is unjust and some Ill informed
criticism upon the correspondence between our Gov
ernment and that OF Great Britain, I'm which the
United States presented suggestion from the Beers
In the direction of peace. and at the same time
At their request rendered the media tion Of com
friend. In terms courteous positive Lord
Salisbury declined proffer, he had the right
to DO.
Neither our offer nor the refusal to accept 1t can
be deemed fair ground to support any notion of
| unpleasantness between the two Powers. Some
have cOntrasted the refusal of France, Germany
and Russia proffer similar mediation as indi-
ca ting that tho United States acted with impert-
nence rashress. This contrast seems to be a
comparison of situations different not 10 be
properly comparable. There is no jealousy or un-
friendliness between the United States and Great
Britain; their ties race, of language and of
thought close: ard in the splendid Hay-Paunce-
fote Treaty they have both lately given the highest
official proof Of common trust in and regard for
each other.
With France the situation is far different: indeed,
no longer that Frances unfrendness
toward England is latent 1t is openly manifest.
ana believe. is only restrained because of the
unwritten but no less real tie between England
and the United States. Nor we feel that Ger
many feels toward England real friend feels
toward another. The feeling of Russia toward Eng
land is that OF a restrained volcano. proffer of
mediation from any of those three Powers would, TO
say the least. have been in very bad taste. An
enemy. lisb be enemy. cannot exer-
else the liberty that is tolerated from known
friend.
Any kind of mediation between two conha .ants
is always liza BILE result in harm TO the mediator
even when or both invite IT. Justly relying on
the entente cordale between his Government and
that of Great Britain. President Mckinley the
request of the Boers. made the proffer mediation
If ii had been accepted then the United States
would have played the part between Great
Britain and the Beers that the brilliant French
Minister effectively played between Spain and
the United States. In that the admirable tact
Of VI. Cambon enabled him to with a Judgment
ana discretion that appealed to both parties.
Whether or not American official acting in
behalf of the Beers in mediation with a British
official, would be equally fortunate is matter of
grave doubt. No matter what the outcome, those
Of our people whA are pro-BoerS or pro- British
rather than prO-Amercans, would find matter for
sharp criticism. As inclined hold only good
wishes for the Administration | am glad that it
has escaped the onerous and thankiess Office of
mediator. The incident is closed. and with honors
to our Government
At later stage ii may be hat good Offices"
VIII be requested by both parties the Anglo Boer
an opportunity to act in behalf of honorable peace
our own true interests sUgrest very strongly that
we beware OF entrance to quarrel even as
peacemaher.
mand for interference" or intervention by TAX
ing the part Of the Beers 1t would have brought
sharp and sudden with Great Britain 1t would
have been the height OF unwsdom precipitate
such calamity, If the South African oigarchs
had merited our help. But they rudey govern
ssainst their consent and protest. better men and
more men than themselves; their notion of freedom
confines that boon Beers and excludes II from
all not of their own narrow tribe: they seek to
drive English freedom and English power from
all Of South Africa; they set up the seventeenth
fent1Fy against the nineteenth and We OF the
the injury either of ourselves of our English
cousins.
1t seems to that all who sincerely care for
this coUntry's welfare in preference to issue"
for party campaigns applaud the President
and be much obliged 10 Lord Salisbury.
PUBLICOLA.
New-York. March II. 1900