The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-12-11

says hooseNelt Could End ar-Declare
That Word From President Would
Result In England ReToring Peace.
Much Enthusiasm shown and Large sum
Raised to Help the Burghers.
CHICAGO, Dec. "a program Of pro-
test against British methods in the South
African war was carried out before az
immense audience in the Auditorium the.
alter last night. Following an eloquent
address by w. Bourke Cochran and
'Ornest speeches by others, resolutions for
the appointment of committee to bring
the sentiments Of the meeting before the
president were adopted.
Although an admission was charged,
the funds being intended to aid the Beers,
and especially their women aud chill.
drcn. standing room was at u premium
and many were unable to gain admit.
tancc.
MIR. Cochran, in opening his address,
said that however men may differ about
the invasion of the South African re-
tiou Of peace is IN the highest degree
desirable. There are but two ways in
which the war can be terminated either
the Beers must surrender or the Eng
lish government must abandon the at
tempt to subduc them. 1t is quite gen
orally assumed that the resistance of
the Beers cannot be successful and il
this Ice true they would not be justified
in continuing a struggle which involved
frutlcss loss Of life aud waste Of prop
crty.
Mr.. Cockran then entered upon an ar.
gumcnt to show that the resistance of ,he
Beers is not hopeless lie declared that
Lord Salisbury's position that nothing
but absolute surrender would be consid-
cred has been abandoned, and that to-
day the burghers could secure almost any
terms, short Of complete and explicit ac-
acknowledgement of their independence.
The speaker declared further that if
the Boer resistance bc prolonged for
few months the Abandonment of the
to subdue them by Great Brit
ain is inevitable.
The trend OF the argument was that
IT would be impossible FOR the British
government to secure the passage of
many more war appropriations through
the house 0f commons and il the Boer
forces can hold the field a little longer
the attempt to Subduc the republics must
be abandoned, for lack Of means to pur-
sue it,
Mr.. Cochran declared: Nothing can
be clearer than that the resistance of
the burghcrs cannot be suppressed, and
therefore the only possible way to peace
IS the withdrawal of Great Britain from
The attempt to subjusate the South Az
rican republics.
The pretcnse that the existence of
these republics endangered British au-
ihority over the rest OF South Africa is
Of serious consideration. Ii re-
puhlics ard monarchial authority are so
hostile that their mere proximity involves
'onllict between them, this country would
Dc Justified IN anneXing Canada as a
necessary measure OF protection for its
lwn safety. The real interest of the
English people is in extending the do
nam OF English commerce, not in ex-
ending :he domain of the English crown.
IF the South African republics were
'ubducd aud the last Boer disarmed. the
men and women now confined in captivity
must bc returned to the soil. To main
ain authority over these people resent
al, dissatisfied, accustomed to bearing
lrmS, would require the maintenance of
huge army and such an army could not
ic maintained without establishing com.
'ulsory military service in Great Britain.
which would he the ruin of the British
constitution.
The conquest of the Transvaal, while
might be dangerous to the burghers.
would be fatal to England. The people |
Who have the greatest interest of all |
II the defeat of English arms are the |
'eople of England They can be saved |
rom this evil Civilization can be de-
ivcred from this cloud which darkcns its |
lorizon if the conscience of the English |
'e0plc he awakened. To do this the |
most effective means is to show them |
hat the people Of this country do not
with the scheme of conquest |
which the English government has un-
Providence has so ordered events that |
he president of the United States can |
'omposc this bitter quarrel II is an ex. |
opportunity offered 10 an ex. |
ra0rdnary man; il would not be- ncces. |
'ary TO draw the sword, to make any |
hrcat Of armed Intervention. One word |
poken Ia the English ambassador or in |
he hearing of the English nation would |
'cstoro peace, establish justice, secure
liberty to these burghers. promote enor- |
nously the prosperity of the human race.
md bring unreasonable glory TO the
\merican nation. VIII that word be
poken: Never in history have such mo- |
nentous results hung on the lips of a
luman being. VIII Theodore Roosevelt |
improve this opportunity for himself his |
'ountry and the whole human race?"
The resolutions which were adopted |
lirected "a respectful but urgent peti |
ion tn the president Of the United States
hat the treaty of Washington on May !!
!, ISL, he strictly enforced and that |
he use of American ports and waters
ic hcncclorth denied to vessels operating |
Under the British charter for the aug |
neniaticn Of supplies OF war: and that |
ne President Of these United States |
WI employ every possible means to bring
o an ehd the horrors of concentration
amps aud warfare which by its nm. |
'Aaulpled ferocity and enormous cost Of
ne ahd treasure. has astounded the civ. !
lized world"