The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-14
WAR ECHOES

ony which might not support ihe throne in the European war he would be likely to select South Africa as the place. It is only about b years since Boer and Briton were engaged in as fierce little war as the world has seen in generations. It was the out come of years of suspicion and strife, in which contempt, fear and hate were lrife and ranking. Nothing seemed more improbable after the war than that the Boers would cease to hate their British conquerors so long as the Boers could maintain themselves as a sepa- rate class. On the other hand, there was reason for thinking that they would keep warm spot in their hearts for the Germans, whoe friendship for the Transvaal and Orange Free state was well known the world over before the kaiser's famous telegram to oom Paul Kruger.
 lf in that situation. the Germans did not send an expedition to feel out the Boers it would be extraordinary and reports indicate that this course has been taken. The dispatches from South Africa, however, indicate that thus far the Boers are altogether loyal to their new allegiance. Premier Botha. who fought so valiantly against the English, declares unequivocally in fa- vor of supporting the empire, and nothing indicating that he does not represent the sentiment of the country has yet come out of South Africa. It is necessary to receive all such news with reserve. Time will show where the masses of the Boers stand. But if they stand with Great Britain. even the >bitterest foes of that empire will have to admit that the loyalty of South Africa is a marvellous triumph for England's colonial policy.
 Memphis Commercial-Appeal:> Nine neu- tral ships of commerce are known to have been destroyed by automatic contact mines in the North sea since the beginning of the war. Numerous fishing smaeks have met with similar disasters. Mine laying is a crime, committed in the name of war. One of the saddest tragedies of the present strife is the sinking of these fishing boats. Of all noncombatants, these toilers of the sea- who risk their
 lives to supply their fellow man with food, should be immune from such hidden dangers.
 The protection of neutral commerce through the restriction of mine laying was one of the prominent matters before the second Hauge conference, and the eighth convention drawn definitely and emphatically forbade the use of unan- chored contact mines, except when so constructed as to become harmless within an hour. At this coference an effort was made to prohibit the use of mines alto gether, but failing to secure such a pro- vision, the substitute measure was adopt ed and was signed by Great Britian, Ger many, the United States, Austria-Hung ary and Mexico.
 Article two of this treaty agreement specifically provides that where mines are employed "every possible precauton must be taken for the security of peaceful shipping and further, that belligerent powers shall undertake to do their ut- most to render these mines harmless with in specified time and should they cease to be under surveillance to modify the danger zone as soon as military exigencies permit by a notice addressed to ship owners"
 Such provisions seem to have been ig- nored. The agreements of war are be- ing utterly disregarded in the present con- fiet. In the heat of passion and in the insane spirit of battle smaller infractions of the agreements of war may be ex- cused, but some of the recent violations have been so fragrant that they cannot be easily overlooked.
 England is busily engaged in a division or the spells of war. Germany's mer- chant marine has been practically swept from the sea. The cargoes belonging to neutral nations will be returned to the proper owners, but the vessels belong to the captors.
 Here again the agreements of war have been infringed upon. All nations, how | ever, did not agree to the policy of pro- tecting private property on the seas as
 well as upon land, so England may be act ing within her rights in this respect 1 There is, however, no excuse, for the
 wanton destruction of neutral ships by contract mines.
 l At the time these mines were placed it
 may have been regarded as necessary,
 but as the fighting is almost exclusively
 confined to land ship owners of neutral | nations should be warned and protected from such concealed dangers.
 | New York Times: So difficult is 1t , for civilians to understand Tho ,,o,t,,