The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-06-16
NO INTERVENTION IN
BEHALF OF Beers.
But Queen Wilhelmina and Kaiser
Wilhelm Were for a Time
Discussing the Matter.
BY HERBERT PAUL.

SPECIAL BY CABLE.
London. June 1~5.-tCopyright. 1901. by the
New York Herald Company.)-Mr. Arthur
Balfour's denial. in the House Of
On Thursday. that there are any nesotia-
tions for peace between Lord Kitchener
ana General Botha was a disappointment
to most men on either side of the House.
There are many Conservatives who. while
generally supporting the policy of the Gov
nment. thinking that the war could not
rave been avoided without a loss of honor.
would be glad to see peace now concluded
on reasonable terms.
On the other hand. there Is a strong party
who believe that the enemy's supplies are
being exhausted. and that he cannot hold
out much longer, and that II Lord kftche-
Der keeps on ''pegging away" as General
Grant said. the Beers will soon surrender
without conditions.
They point to the fact that the lines of
communication are now better protected
than they have been before. and argue that
as the Beers are largely dependent upon
be In sore straits.
No European intervention.
There are persistent rumors of European
Intervention, but these have always hith-
erto proved ~unfOunded.
have reason to believe that the Queen
Of Holland did make urgent representations
to the German Emperor on this subject. and
hat the Emperor. knowing how popular
such a step would be with the German peO-
pie. privately inquired what support it
would receive from the other lowers.
But there Is no reason to suppose that
fere. and isolated interference Is out Of the
question.
After all. England has a navy which no
Power or group Of Powers would care to
confront.
And 1t is no disadvantage to her rivals in
China and elsewhere that her army Is
locked up in South Africa.
II. therefore, the Beers are relying upon
external aid. they are walking In a vain
shadow.
What their resources may be for contin-
uing the struggle unaided they alone know.
Lord Kitchener is said to be hopeful. So Is
Mr.. Kruger. But Lord Kitchener Ii on the
spot and Mr.. Kruger is not
Wonen and Children Prisoners.
ugee camps which the Daily News has pub
lished Is unpleasant reading.
The subject Is likely to be brought before
Parliament.
The deaths of these poor children may
rave been unavoidable. and I believe 1t VII
be commended on behalf Of the Government
that IL the Boer women had not been re-
"ONc0 INTO tutS6 ConipS thCy WOoAo
been at the mercy OF the kafnrs.
But on their behalf this statement Is In
~dignantly denied. They affirm that they are
kept in prison TO make their husbands sub
NIT.
1t II exceedingly difficult tn ascertain
how far public opinion about the war mas
changed since the general election.
Public Opinion.
AT a large meeting at Northampton last
Wednesday-drawn from the whole number.
not merely from the town-a moderate res
olution in favor Of colonial se]f-government
for the Beers was rejected and an amend-
ment in favor of total independence was
carried by q large majority.
This was against the wishes OF tne pro,
motors OF the meeting. 1t also went beyond
the speeches of Messrs. Merriam ana Oauei'
who had previously spoken.
In another midland OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
where an election Is pending for the Strat-
ford Division-the Liberal meetings nave
been forciby broken up. because the LAper@'
candidate IL Q strong opponent OF tne ~si.
Tn these instances 1t would ne ABSURD 10
o.ratize hut there are those who think
that the most popular course the Govern
ment could AXE would be to leave the
whols matter in the hands OF Lord kitche-
This however, they will not do. and per-
hans no Government could SO Tar delegate
their constitutional reSponSioihI
Two I~nteresting
Two reports upon South African anairs
have been published during the week.
The first wa from the three commission
crs-one Of them a B-oer-appointed by MI.
Chamberlain to inquire into the validity OF
the various concessions granted by the
South African Republic.
This report clearly proves hat some
members of the Republican Government
were corrupt. and establishes a strong case
against Doctor Leyds, but proves also That
the worst Of these concessions. the dyna-
mite monopoly. was extremely unpopular.
ard that President Steyn Of the Orange
Free State declined to support President
Kruger II he went to wal on account OF 1t.
How believers in a Dutch conspiracy for
driving the British out OF South Africa rec
opcile this fact with their favorfte theory.
IL In not for me to say.
The second report is Sir David Barbour's.
Sir David was sent to examine the
finances Of the annexed territories.
He does not think the Orange River Col
cny can contribute anything. or the Trans
vsal much. to the cost Of the war. but he
recommends that the taxation OF the gold
mines shall be doubled.
1t will be remembered that ov~ertaxation
was one Of the chief complaints made by
the Uitlanders before the war.