The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-02
King Edwnrd,s opportunity.

! Recent events in South Africa justify
the belief that at last the Beers are real
izing that neither Providence nor any of
the Powers of Europe are going to in
terfere in their behalf, and that, If they
hope to save anything from the wreck
of their country. they must submit to
British domination, making the best
terms they can. Movements like those
of the Afrikander Bond, and of General
Botha in his negotiations for surrender,
show that there is a considerable South
African sentiment in favor of peace,
even without the independence which has
been forfeited through the ignorance and
stubbornness of the Dutch leaders.
The situation, it seems to us, offers
golden opportunity for the exercise of
that wholesome and enlightened influence
which, is seen already, King Edward
! VII is exerting over the military and
other counsels OF his realm. Ii may be
! that men like Mr.. Chamberlain, even
| Lord Salisbury, are still full of the pas
sions and bitterness of the strife which
began exasperatinsly with the daring
ultimatum from President Kruger to the
I British Government. Theirs have been
| the anxieties, the responsibilities, and, as
/ regarded their personal standing and
I regulations the risks of the war. As they
are human, they may be excused for
feeling that drastic measures to the end
are needed to vindicate their policy and
course.
But the King is not of necessity equally
stern in his view and purpose. If we are
not mistaken he is not only an able diplo-
matist, but possesses a we'll balanced and
judicial mind, trained through long years
of quiet and studious observation to draw
the line between insistence upon the in
terests and dignity of the Empire and
mere vengeance upon stricken people
who are almost unconquerable except
through determination. 1t is TO King Ed
ward the chance is offered TO show him
self the exemplar of mercy that we feel
sure he would like to be. He is not an
autocrat like the Car of Russia or the
Sultan of Turkey. He is not even a
nearly absolute monarch like the Presi-
dent of the United States. His constitu-
tIonal power in practice only extends to
the right 10 use his personal influence,
and the social prestige of his position, ,,
upon the Cabinet of the day in the direc- |
ton he may consider desirable
Right down In their hearts we fancy |
that the chief members of the present |
British Government would be only too |
glad to be gently coerced into granting |
terms TO tne BoerS winch the latter could /
accept and still save their face If the |
King We're to press them to offer liberal |
scheme of autonomy and self-government |
to the inhabitants of the Transvaal and |
Orange colonies, including, of course the |
full political equality of the Outlanders. |
and to become operative as soon as peace |
and order could be firmly established, it |
appears probable that the worn-out !
burghers would be happy to lay down |
their arms and return to their devastated |
farms for new battle against fate under
the ensign of st. George.
The shrewd good sense which his
Majesty has begun to demonstrate in con-
nection with military and other reforms,
leads us to believe that he is destined
TO be "a leader rather than simple
figurehead in the affairs of his Kingdom
and Empire. Whether or not he will
achieve that distinction can only be de-
termined by time. But the opportunity
to make an honorable and lasting peace
with his enemies in South Africa from
an outside point Of view seems to be
within his grasp, and we most sincerely
hope that he may not fail to grasp it.