The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-08-30
mar 17-su. we. fri and s-w

temperate in it's utterances-though,
Of course. the whole community is
ashamed of the use to which the port
has been put in cooperation with Eng
land to destroy the South African re-
publiCs-the States discloses, perhaps
without intending it. an attitude on
VanSittart'S part so Extensively AFRO
CANT as to cause our special wonder
not wonder at this British officials in
science, but wonder at his having so
long escaped the punishment which ill
hammered Doors usually receive in that
particular city. 1t is quite plain, after
a careful reading of the States article
now before us, hat Vansittart has for
gotten if he ever understood, the OBJ
legations of courtesy resting on a gen
tleman charged with official duties in
a foreign land. That he has INDUCED
in very indiscreet. not to say offensive,
language is only too obvious, and that
his grievance is the failure of respect
able Americans to sympathize with
England in her abominable treatment
of the Beers is quite as plain. Refer
ring TO one occasion upon which Van
sittart is reported as having spoken his
mind, the States says:
1T is. indeed. inconceivable that a
public official representing his govern
ment at one of the chief ports of a
friendly nation should have been guilty
Of the objectionable folly of uttering
such sentiments as were attributed to
him. Not only would such freedom Of
criticism constitute a fragrant breach
of propriety Inc good policy, but it is
also contrary to the rules of the diplo-
matte service; hence it is scarcely
possible that an officer with the ex-
p%erience of Mr.. Vansittart could have
so far forgotten the dignity of his po-
sition and the proprieties of his situa-
ton as to have talked so loosely in the
presence of a newspaper reporter"
1t is evident, however. on reading
further, hat the States fully believes
in the accuracy of the report.
In any event, his fellow Vansittart
has at last been brought to ~book-not,
perhaps, in the most satisfactory n
conclusive way but at least In a way
that promises results. Some weeks ago
an attempt was mad to blow up the
British steamship Mechanician, then
loaded with American horses and mules
and about to sail for South Africa. The
attempt failed-so ordained by an all
wise and inScrutable Providence-but
Vansittart. pursuant of his character
istic course, promptly began to rail
and to complain. Instead of humbly
thanking fate-and the administration
for the fortune that had so far at
tended the detestable enterprise, he
broke on into accusations and impre-
cations at the expense Of the unknown
offenders. In fact. he was so incau-
tious as to specify one individual, to
wit: Mr.. Samuel Pearson. a represen-
tative Of the Orange Free State, now
s~ojourning in New Orleans. Mr.. Pear
son has since entered suit against Van
sittart for defamation of character,
and unless the federal courts should
again play the state departments
hand by refusing to taxi cognizance
Of any proceeding which threatens to
disturb England's peace Of mind, we
shall have a very entertaining episode
of inquiry and disclosure. But will
those courts dare to protect Pearson or
any other foreigner against a foreigner
who is an Englishman? Anyhow, it
costs nothing to hope so.-Washington
Post.