The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-13
NEW BOOkS.
Goodwin smith on the south African War

The time will inquest ionably come,
and is, perhaps, not distant. when inteli-
gent Canadians will recover from the
loyalist fever which ifnpelled them to take
an active part in the subjugation of ~"
Boer republics and when they will he abb
to consider in a dispassionate mood the
rghtfulness and the expediency OF that
proceeding When that time arrives. they
will appreciate the illuminating review of
the circumstances preceding the South
African war and the Judicial estimate Of
the character OF that contest for which
we are indebted to Prof. Goodwin Smith.
In a pamphlet Of some seventy pages. en-
titled In the Court OF History" William
TyfreD 4 Co, Toron,o), he sets forth an
apology for those Canadians who. like
himself. were opposed to the participation
81 the Dominion In the dsgraceiul plot to
transform the Independent Dutch burghers
Of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State
into British subjects. How" he ask
was Canada drawn for the first time since
her at ainment Of self govern ment into an
imperial war and one to which she had no
special Indictment, the poor farmers Of
South Africa never having done her, or
tsen capable OF doing her, any kind OF
rrong?" The question is the more diHi-
cult to answer because. az the time when
a Canadian contingent was despa chcd 10
the scene Of conflict, the head Of the Domn-
ion Government was "a French Canadian
the representative OF a race the history
of which resembles that of the Dutch IN
South Africa. How close the resemblance
was is indicated in a couple of sentences
Conquered and politically depressed by
the conquerors. II 1.-The French Canadian
peoplel had been forced to strike for it,
rights. which after struggle, it had won
In the British loyalists at Cape Colony
pouring out their vengeance on the rebels
Sir Wilfrid Laurier might see the counter
parts OF the British loyslists in Canada
Who because they were not allowed TO
set their feet on the neck Of the French
Canadian, stoned the Governor General
and set fire to the Parliament House at
Montreal Sir Wilfrid Laurier might have
been expected to recognize the parallel
not only because he il a French Canadian
but by reason OF certain memorable in
.cidents in his personal career. The fac,
l. recalled that as an heir Of the cat,s.
and principle Of Papineau-the heed of
the French Canadian insurrec,ion In IN.
tbirties-Sir Wiifrid In former DAYS s.id
things which gave offence 20 Canadian law
alists. He pleaded with fervd cloo,,enco
the cause OF the French half.breeds who
had risen in the Northwest. and no, Lc..
warmly denounced the execution of hi
though Riel had a perfectly fair trial A..
vas not put to death, like the disas,c,,,,,
colonists in the Cape Colony, by the lavl,.,
process Of military execution styled mari aI
law"
Mr.. Goodwin Smith proceeds to show ,b,,
tue imperial ambition Of British statesrno,
originally iostined for the French-Cano-
dams precisely the same status Of sui
ordination and efYacement which Mr.. Cocil
Rhodes. Mr.. Chamberlain and Lord Milnor
determined TO impose upon the Dutch in
South Africa Not even Lord Durham
who came to Canada as Governor Genera /
IN a propitiatory temper. and who went
much further in the path of concilation
than the contemporary House of Lords wa.
willing to sanction. contemplated the per-
pstuation Of French Canadian nationality