New-York tribune., 1901-07-20
REITZ AND STEYN.

No surprise is called for by the revelations,
from captured correspondence. of the disagree
ment between Messrs Reitz and Steyn concern
ing the continuation of the Boer war. Each Of
them appears to have written precisely what he
might have been expected to write, according
to his known character and temperament, Two
men more radically unlike have seldom worked
together In important cause, and the only
real reason for surprise is that they have so
long kept together. That they have done so is
one of the most striking evidences Of the
strength of feeling-relgious, racial, patriotic,
or what not--which animates the Beers
Mr.. Reitz has always been regarded what
Carlyle would have called "a poor creature"
Weakness, irresolution, lack Of the courage Of
his convictions, have ever been characteristic Of
him. Years ago he was President of the Orange
Free State, and was man of clay, and uncom-
monty soft clay. in the hands of those around
him. Then, having held that high office, he
went over to the Transvaal and became Paul
Krigers clerk. as Secretary of State. In that
place he weakly lent himself 10 whatever infiu-
ences were exerted upon him, so long as his
vanity was tickled by the pretence that he was
the real power. Thus he became one Of the
chief plotters for Boer uprising which should
drive the British out of South Africa and estab-
lish Boer theocratc oligarchy, with the capital
at Cape Town. II was he who penned the appeal
to the Beers In Cape Colony to rebel against
their government In aid of the Transvaal And
yet the moment the war began to go against
the Beers he was the first to become frightened
and TO talk of suing for peace He would prob
ably now be glad to surrender and to accept
Junior assistant cerkship under the British
colonial government at Pretoria
Mr. Steyn, the other hand is brave reso-
| lutte. 1nQOnltaDle and DrOnd n 10
| is also possessed or far reaching ambition
| Most men wondered at his readiness as Presi-
| dent of the Orange Free State, to form the
| union between that State and the Transvaal.
| thinking the small Orange State would thus
| become mere addendum to its big neighbor
But MIR. Steyn had astutely arranged In advance
that as soon as the aged Paul Krilger should
vacate the Transvaal Presidency he (Steym
| should be installed in his place as President of
the Transvaal as well of the Orange State
He aimed, in brief, at becoming the first Roer
| dictator OF South Africa from the Cane 70 the
| Zambesi. So in this war, though far less skilled
| in military science than Joubert or Cronte and
| less spectacular in his movements than De Wet
| or DE La Rey, in fierce pugnacity and IN mex
| orable determination to fight it out TO the bitter
end he has surpassed them ALL While his col
| league, Paul krhger, fingered In his mansion at
Pretoria. travelled In his private car and finally
| fled to Europe, Mr.. Steyn was constantly at the
| forefront OF the war; organizing resistance here
| ana reDelllon there, and sharing the perils Of
| the campaign along with the humblest burrhers
| And to-day, while Reitz is quaking In his shoes
| and Botha Is ready to accept almost any terms
| OF peace, and De Wet and De La Rev are ready
to quit fighting soon as the word Is given
| Steyn remains as implacable. defiant. and. we