The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-09
Temperate sp' Before a Large
Agains igIish Methods.
LETTER FROM CARL SCHURZ
WHO SAYS BRITONS MUST NOT BE
MIsLED BY OUR FRIENDSHIP.
Resolutions Adopted Calling on Con-
gress and the President to Take
Prompt Action.

CHICAGO, Dec. S.-A programme of pro-
test against British methods in the South
African war was carried out before an i'm
mense audience IN the Auditorium Thea
ter here tonight. Following an eloquent
address by w. Bourke Cochran and earnest
speeches by others, resolutions for the ap-
pointment of a committee to bring the SEN
timents of the meeting before the President
were adopted. Although admission was
charged, the funds being intended to aid
the Beers and especially their women and
children. standing room was at a premium
and many were unable to gain admttance.
The programme opened with the song,
THE True Heart" sung by nineteen Ger
man singing societies of Chicago. DR..
Hiram Thomas. head of the Peoples
Church, followed with a prayer for the
women and children in South African
prison camps Then followed short ad-
dresses by Judge Theodore Brentano and
Judge Murray F. Tuley chairman of the
Chicago branch of the American Trans
vaal League, under the auspices of which
the meeting was held.
There were 500 people the stage when
Mr.. Cochran, the orator of the evening
arose and bowed in recognition Of the tu-
multi of applause which greeted him. He
said. in part:
However men may differ about the in
vasion OF the South African republics. all
are agreed that the restoration of peace is
In the highest degree desira BILE. There are
but two ways IN which the war can be ter
minated-either the Beers must surrender
or the English government must abandon
the attempt to subdue them. 1t is quite
generally assumed that the resistance of
the Beers cannot be successful, and If this
be true they would not be justified in con-
tinuing a struggle which involved fruitless
loss of life and waste of property, even
though the losses inflicted their enemy
were tenfold greater than what they suf-
fered themselves for bloodshed which Is
useless is always indefensible. But is il
true that the resistance of the Beers is
hopeless? Since the fall of Pretoria Ii GER
tsinly has not been fruitless; it has been
justified by most important results. Lord
Salisburys position that nothing but abso-
lutte surrender would be considered has been
abandoned, and to-day the burghers could
secure almost any terms short OF complete
and explicit acknowledgment Of their in
dependence As their resistance has not
been fruitless, neither is their struggle for
independence hopeless. On the contrary
if their resistance be prolonged for a few
months the abandonment Of the struggle to
subdue them by Great Britain is inevitable.
BRITISH FUNDS LOW.
This statement is not based on any spe-
cial information concerning the war, but on
the conviction that it will be impossible
for the government to secure the passage
of many more war appropriations through
the House OF Commons. The last budget
was passed only after immense difficulties
All sources of taxation have practically
been exhausted and the attempt to effect
another large loan would result in
such fall in the price of consols as would
seriously jeopardize British industries If,
then, the Boer forces can hold the field a
little longer the attempt to subdue the re-
publics must be abandoned for lack of
means to pursue ii.
THE capacity of the Beers to maintain
the struggle is placed beyond a doubt by
the barbarity of The methods employed to
subdue them. The English government
cannot avoid supporting the women and
children made homeless by the destruction
of the farms. With the support of his
women and children imposed upon Eng
lana while his lands have been made desc
late and unproductive the Boer soldier is
free to continue in the field long as he
can secure by capture abundant supplies
of food and arms from the English forces.
His reputation for humanity and courage
makes the English soldiers prefer surren-
dering to facing his rifle.
Nothing can be clearer than that the re-
| sstance of the burghers cannot be sup
/ pressed and therefore the only possible
way to peace is the withdrawal of Great
/ Britain from the attempt TO subjugate the
South African republics. The British gov
| ernment may prolong but cannot change its
outcome. Such a result being consistent
with Justice, ii is TO the interest of every
one TO hasten it. The real interests of
I England well as the rest of the world
/ will be advanced by promoting ii.
THE pretense that the existence of these
/ republics endangered British authority over
/ the rest of South Africa is unworthy of
serious consideration. If republics and
| mOnarchical authority are so hostile that
/ their mere proximity involves conflict be-
tween them this country would be justified
| in anneXing Canada as necessary meas
ure OF protection for its own safety
LITTLE JUSTIFICATION.
This meeting has no disposition to pro-
woke bitterness or to increase the crop of
resentments already too large throughout
the world. Much as we might desire the
I incorporation of Canada in the Union. un-
I less IL could be accomplished by the con-
sent of the people on both sides of the
I frontier we don't wish It, but it may be
well 10 point out that there was much less
\ justfable ground for the assault upon the
/ South African republics by Great Britain
I than there would have been for the forcible
annexation of Canada by this country
The South african war did not arise
I from any question involving the relations
between the republics and the adjoining
British colonies. but from attempt by
Mr.. Chamberlain 10 interfere in matters
wholly affecting the domestic affairs of the
/ Transvaal while on the other hand be
tween this country and Canada questions
/ OF Importance have been pending since the
establishment OF our Independence There
would have been ten thousand times the
justification for our anneXing Canada tn
avoid the destruction of the seal fisheries
alone than could be based on any ground
assigned By Mr. Chamberlain for disturbing
f the integrity or the South African repub-
lies.
THE real interest Of the English people
I is in extending the domain OF English COM
merce. not in extending the domain OF the
/ English crown The growth OF English