The Irish standard., 1902-07-12
CHAMBERLAIN EATS THE LEEK,

After all the dire threats of depriv-
ing the Africanders of representative
government for aiding the Beers in the
recent war, Joseph Chamberlain and
his Tory confederates have decided aft
err mature deliberation not to suspend
the constitution of Cape Colony, but to
compromise the conflicting interests
there and treat the rebels like all other
British subjects in South Africa.
This is the best thing the Tory gov
eminent can do to pacify the Cape
Dutch, who outnumber the English
about six to one. Lord Miner de-
manded a suspension of the constitu-
ton, thinking that what has been done
in Ireland could be done in Cape Col
ony; but Salisbury, Chamberlain Il Co.
desire no other war with the brave
burgllers who accepted the peace terms
in good faith, and another war there
would ensue did Miner and his clique
have their way, for the Beers would
never rest contented while their kin
dred of Cape Colony We're deprived of
their rights by. legislation.
Lord Miner was instrumental in
bringing on tie war, and dearly did
England pay for his folly. The war
could have been avoided with the loss
Of men and money and British prestige
il the Beers had been approached in
the beginning as they We're two months
ago. The Beers have practically OBJ
tanned everything they fought for, and
though their republics have been
changed into British colonies they will
always rule in South Africa and will
stand no oppression from the hands
of the imperial parliament at London.
Chamberlain has certainly eaten the
leek when he publicly declares in re-
ply to a petition from Miner and his
British followers who wanted Ito lord
it, over the Africanders, that there is
no precedent for the suspension of the
constitution Of a responsibility governed
colony. Cape Colony, therefore, will
not be crown colony, as formerly
stated, but will have all the rights that
Canada enjoys. Miner has been or
dered to assemble the colonial parMa-
ment at once to avoid further trouble
with such expert fighters as the Afri-
canders and allay the passions excited
by the war.
The English people of all shades Of
political opinion think more Of the
Beers now than they ever did before.
They cannot help admiring the brave
farmers who held out so CALAMITY
against all the military resources of
England for three years and who
would never surrender Internationally
as the Tory premier in his senility ex-
pected them to do. Not only do the
English now admire them, but they
extend sympathy to them and offer
them words of cheer The following
message of sympathy to the men and
WOlIlcll VI Clle 1ItllSNudl anu Oi;tllssc
River State is being circulated for sig
natures in England, Ireland and Scot
land and all the British uominions:
For ourselves and on behalf of many
thousands Of men and women in Great
Britain, Ireland, and the colonies. we
desire to express to you our admiration
and our sympathy-our admiration be-
cause of the magnificent and heroic
stand you made for your independence
against the might of England, helped
by all her colonies; and our sympathy
in this hour of your surrender. but not
of humiliation, for you have rivaled,
even if you have not surpassed. the
patriotic heroisms Of history.
I'VE wish frankly to confess that
you have not had from us just or
friendly treatment, but, on the con-
trary, that a masterful and selfish tenn
per, infaming an ill-informed mind,