Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-09
TERMS
CONSIDERED
LIBERAL
BRIToNS AND Beers GENERAL
LY ARE SATISFIED : LORD
KITCHENER COVERED HIM
SELF WITH GLORY.

LONOON, June line terms OF peace
are the most generous the Beers could have
expected, and the most reasonable that the
government, responsible TO the public
could well have proposed Given the prin-
ciple that every country has a right, II it
has the strength, TO dictate term to any
other at the close Of successful war which
lies apparently at the root of modern and
national Jurisprudence.
The late South African republics now
British colonies, have secured most of the
advantages not Inconsistent with subjuga-
ton. The surrender of independence was
of course, absolute. 1t was upon this pre-
liminary condition that the Boer delegates
took time TO consult the commanders.
The former citizens of the South African
republic and Orange Free State have vol
UNFAIRLY become subjects of King Edward
SO are Australians, so are Canadians. Yet,
Australia is a commonwealth and Canada
has been pronounced by its own prime min
lister an Independent state.
Sir Wilfrid Laurler did not, of course,
mean his words to be taken In the literal
technical sense He is too good a constI-
tulonaIIst for that, but substantially he Is
right To the same ample measure Of self
government which Canada enjoys, the
Beers may look forward. A period of mill
tary occupation there must be- 1t Is to be
followed by a stage Of civil administration
which every one must desire to make as
short as possible.
Then the Beers will be granted that sys-
tenn of home rule upon which the colonial
empire of Britain depends for its loyalty
as for it's strength. So far, the terms will
meet, IL not with universal, at least with
general approval But on one or two
points, there Will probably be some differ
ence of opinion. The first is the question
of amnesty for Cape rebels. The agree
ment leaves them TO the operation of the
- l. H. %kak Of
death shall in no case be inflicted, and
that those who were not leaders in insur-
rection shall, If they-confess their crime,
be punished only by perpetual disfranchise-
ment.
Rebels taken or surrendering in arms are,
Of course, in a totally different position
from prisoners Of war. They are not
strictly entitled to any conditions, and
any or all are liable to be hanged, but con-
sidering the special circumstances of the
rebellion at the Cape, which arose out of
the conflict, between race and allegiance,
and having regard to the perilously doubt
full future of South Africa, the government
might we'll and wisely avail themselves OF
the coronation to grant an amnesty as an
act of pure grace and favor from the King.
The second point is the curious provision
that no tax required for the expenses OF
the war shall be placed upon landed prop
erty In the Transvaal. If this includes
the gold mines, the exemption will be most
unpopular. Nevertheless, 1t is, difficult to
attack and easy to defend. An indemnity
cannot be reconciled with annexation, The
king cannot exact an indemnity from his
own subjects Annexation Is, and must
always be- a costly business. sfEe
comprehensive review Of these nego'
tiations and their result leads inevitably
to the conclusion that IL Lord Kitchener
had been left to himself he might have OBJ
tained peace with honor more than year
ago. BY continuing the war, the Beers
have lost nothing except-which is great
and terrible exception--their diminution
by losses in the field. There is practical
unanImity of opinion that Lord Kitchener
now a full general-deserves all and
more than all the rewards he has received.
Most people are inclined to ask why the
soldier who did finish the war should re-
ceive a small sum of money and lower rank
in the peerage than the soldier who did
not. Lord Roberts strategy up to and in
Guiding the battle of Peardeberg, was bril-
liantly successful. After that he did moth
ing, and made a serious mistake In sup
posing that there was nothing more to be
done.
Lord Kitchener not only completed the
campaign of a most arduous and exhausting
kind, but he concluded 1t with an honorable
and satisfactory peace. His qualifications
any other army are indsputable, but, his
departure from South Africa will be deeply
deplored. for he has won the confidence
of Boer as well as Briton. His influence
would be more eficacious In the restora-
tion of order than forty thousand men. The
cabinet of course. Is constitutionally re-
sponlble for the peace, but 1t is generally
recognized as "Kitchener's peace." 1t
has the good fortune to meet with the
almost universal approval OF those who dis
believe in the original necessity of the war
The strain upon the national resources, in
deed. has been great, but the nation has
borne 1t in a manner OF which every En-
glishman Is proud.
Kitchener and his force, the largest ever
by a British general, had to
contend with a skIllful, gallant foe, with
dIficlult unknown country, deferred hope
and the ravages of disease.
The incompetence of the war Office was
and that Incompetence was
incurable, for 1t began at the top. Mr..
Frederick does his best to initiate Mr.
but there is one respect in
which he cannot initiate him, that is eff
GENTLY. Against difficulties on hhe spot
and hindrance at home Lord Kitchener has
been victorious. Since the days of the
great duke who operated though with
smaller numbers. upon a larger and more
impressive stage, there has been no British
general who so thoroughly combined the
tact of the diplomatlst with the authority
of the commander as did Kitchener. It is
not his fault, but the fault Of politicians
and civilians that peace has been too long
deferred. HERBERT PAUL.
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