The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-11-17
Engiand's Concentration Policy in
South Africa.

South Africa.
According to a telegram from London,
the British Liberal party is likely to
make an organized attack during the
next session Of Parliament on the so
called Concentration policy OF the
Salisbury Government in South Africa.
Concentration b the euphemistio term
given TO the system first applied by
Gen. WEYLRR in Cuba, and since adopted
by Gen. KITCHENER in the Orange Free
State and South African Republic, the
system which aims to coerce belligerents
by collecting their wives and children
In camps. where they are virtually
prisoners, and where the lack Of ade-
Cuate food and medical attendance
is attested by IN appalling %death-rate.
The disclosures made by Miss EMILY
HoBHoUsE, who personally visited the
campo, have aroused widespread indig-
nation in Great Britain, and the final
shook seems to have been given to the
public conscience by the news that this
high-minded and philanthropic lady
has been arrested In South Africa by the
military authorities, and IL to be de-
ported to England,
What Miss HoBHousB saw In the con-
centration camps was to some extent
made known through the publication
In English newspapers Of passages from
her report to the Committee Of the Dis
tress Fund for South African Women
and Children. A full account of her
observations will be found in the October
number Of the Contemporary Rerie1.
There Ii no sign OF excitement, much
less Of hysteria. in the toni Of her article;
on the contrary. she writes with notable
moderation and self-restraint. She tells
what she has seen. and leaves others to
say what should he done about it. For
the moment, she does not discuss
the wisdom or expediency OF the con-
oentration policy, but simply contends
that, II the camps are to continue, and
ever increase, through the consignment
to them Of Dutch colonial non-oomba-
tants, IL in worth a struggle TO secure
betteg treatment for the victims OF con-
centration than they have hitherto re-
oeived. In a word. she pleads that
women and children shall be dealt with
In a sympathetic, rather than in a coer-
Give and vindlctive, way.
Let us see whether the words 90
ercive" and vindictive" are justified.
One Of the Governments apologists
SAYS In the Empire Rerreu that the in
mates OF the concentration camps are
not prisoners. Miss HoBHoUsE replies
that the CAMPS are enclosed with barbed
wire, that the inmates are confined
within certain bounds and must live by
rule, and that their letters. coming and
going, are censored. Under the cir
cImstances she finds il difficult 10 see
how they are not prisoners, except that
in the end all the women and children
whose husbands and fathers pos-ess
any property are To he called upon 70
pay for the food and clothing provided
As for vindictiyenrss, Il ~as at first the
custom in the camps ~ supply only hall
rHtions % those women and children
whose husbands and fathers we're still
on Commando When this practice
wa exposed, the conscience Of ing
land revolted. and It was announced IN
Parliament that the practice had been
discontinued Miss l%loBHOusE tells
W. that, hearing II thu announcement
In a far-or camp, she wondered whether
the Representatives u the tngu-h people
intended 70 abolish only the half ration
OF the spirit which had ihstgat"t such