New-York tribune., 1902-05-08
LORD SALISBURY on PEACE TERMS.

LORD SALISBj NJ ON fEAtE
The most interesting and most authoritative
utteranCe upon the subject of peacemaking in
South Africa was that made by Lord Salisbury
Yesterday before the Primrose League. 1t was
obviously authoritative since it was made by
the Prime Minister of the British Government.
1t was also interesting for the reason that it
was made in an optimistic vein. Lord Salisbury
has been called by some a pessimist. He does
not merit that reproach- But he is at least in
the habit of taking that serious view of affairs
which every responsible statesman should take,
and his keen perceptions and philosophical mind
often cause him 10 dwell upon the darker phases
of current history where man Of less intellect
uaI calibre might see only sunlight and sparkles
When therefore. Lord Salisbury speaks In
hopeful tone there are strong reasons for believ-
ing that the matters TO which he refers are pro-
ceeding auspiciously. If he is hopeful OF peace
in the near future we are justified in thinking
peace is at hand.
More significant still, if possible is the Prime
Minister'S reference to the terms OF peace. He
declares that Great Britain has not receded one
inch from her former position. That means that
not a trace OF independence, outside or the
British Empire, is to be granted to the two
Boer States There is 10 be no more Ma1uba
business. There is 70 be no more room for
The two States may have such independence as
Canada and Australia enjoy, but no more. They
are 10 be integral parts of the British Empire,
under the British flag. In RhOdess pregnant
words. the map of South Africa is TO be colored
red There may be those who will think this a
hard decree 1t is decree that will make for
peace and order and stability. or that there
seems to be no question. The experiment or
partial sovereignty has been made and has dis
astrously failed. 1t was made after Majuba
and the ink was scarcely dry on the agreement
before il was broken by the Beers. To make
again any such compact would be to invite fur
ther friction and another open conflict The
country must be either wholly Boer or wholly
British The decision OF the war now ending is
that it shall be British That does not, of
course mean that the Beers Will have no rights
which the British are bound to respect. On the
contrary. they viii doubtless have equal rights
with the British. To cite a familiar example
Canada is wholly British. Yet the French in
Quebec do not complain Of any Infringement
upon their rights. They do not pose as the vic
tins of tyranny and oppression. We do not
know that there is among them any consider
able sentiment in favor OF a divorce from the
empire If the Beers in the Transyaal and
Orange River colonies shall enjoy a similar
status, which seems to be the intention of Lord
Salisbury 1t is difficult TO see what ground they
will have for complaint.
Now. IL is on such terms that Lord Salisbury
looks for peace. We can scarcely suppose that
Mr. Kriiger and DR.. Leyds have given their
assent TO them. Then we must conclude that
the Boer leaders in South Africa the men who
have been doing the fighting while the others
have been enjoying themselves in Europe have
taken the matter into their own hands and are
negotiating for peace on their own account 1t
will be we'll II they do so. good soldier is
usually a good peacemaker. General Botha,
General Meyer and their comrades understand
the situation far better than do Mr.. KRUGER and
Dr. Leyds. and they are far more likely to be
influenced by practical motives and not by senti-
ment or selfishness. If they do make peace
there will be peace, regardless Of whatever full
limitations may proceed from Brussels and The
Hague 1t is TO be hoped that it is upon the
basis Of knowledge OF their purposes that Lord
Salisbury is looking for a speedy establishment
of peace In any event the peace which is made
will be a PAX Britannicum" OF that the Prime
Minister'S words leave no shadow of doubt