Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-18
FOR POLITICAL CAPITAL ONLY.

0 POLITICAL CAPITAL ONLY.
The democrats OF the house Of repre-
s~entatives propose holding a caucus to
consider what course should be adopted
in relation to the governments attitude
toward the Beers. 1t is not difficult to
foretell, in tn light OF the utterances
Of democratic in congress, what the
views of the caucus, IL n is held, will
probably be. There will be a declara-
ton In favor Of our government ex-
pressing sympathy with the Beers, pro-
testing against British methods in
South Africa and proposing mediation
or Intervention for the settlement of the
war. The government will be con-
demned for allowing the British to pur-
chase horses and mules in this coun-
try and ship them to South Africa and
1t will be charged that the course of the
administration has been prompted by
sympathy with England. Only a few
days ago a speech was made in the
house by a democratic representative
from Missouri which clearly and fully
set forth the position to be expected on
the part Of a democratic caucus.
The object of this is political capital
and hat only. 1t is intended to have
an influence upon the congressional
campaign. The hope is to persuade the
people that the republican party is un-
friendly TO Boer Independence and
therefore recreant to the OF free
government. 1t is possible that with
the ignorant and thoughtless this may
be effective, but 1t is not conceivable
that 1t can exert any influence upon
those capable Of understanding the mat
ter. Such persons know that our gov
eminent Is bound by it's international
obligations to observe strict neutrality
regarding the South African conflict
They know that the British government
having repeatedly declared that it will
not accept mediation or Intervention it
would be useless for our government,
which has once tenderedsits good offices,
to again make an offer of mediation.
They know that to propose intervention
would be to invite a quarrel with Great
Britain, which no rational american
citizen can desire. The Boer ENJOYS
who recently called upon the president
and secretary Of state were reported to
have said that they did not seek inter-
vention, because they knew the United
States could not with a due regard for
its international obligations propose in
~tervention.
AS to British methods Of carrying on
the war, it is very questionable whether
this or any other country has any a
rant or right to pass judgment on it.
The concentration camp system is very
generally condemned and doubtless
there is much Of hardship and suffer
ing attending II, though British author
tiles deny much that has been said in
denunciation of it. Shall the United
States government assume that all the
cruelties and horrors alleged are true
and make a formal protest against the
system? Should we act In SO grave a
matter aud condemn a friendly nation
without en- accurate knowledge OF the
facts, accepting exparte testimony
which may be more or less preJudiced?
What Justification could we offer for
such a course and what sort of position
would we be placed in If 1t should be
found that there was no reason for It'll
In regard to allowing the British to pur-
chase horses and mules here, 1t is per-
haps sufficient to say that our govern
ment has always maintained the right
of it's citizens to sell arms and NUM-
lions of war to all persons. Jefferson,
when secretary Of state, asserted this
and it has been many times declared
since. There is ample precedent for the
non-interference of the government with
the purchase here by the British Of
horses and mules.
The attitude OF the democrats in this
matter is demagogic and its purpose
obvious. There is as much and al sin
cere sympathy with the Beers and their
cause among republicans a IS among
democrats, but republicans are not will
ing to put the government in a false
position and possibly involve 1t In a
conflict with Great Britain. However
earnestly the American people desire the
success of the Beers they are not dis
posed to become participants In the
South African war,