Change Of Front

Joseph Chamberlain, colonial secretary in Lord Salesbury's cabinet whose claim to overlordship in Transvaal affairs brought on the present acute crisis, has not always been of the same mind about Transvaal affairs as at present.
Back in 1884 Chamberlain was a free lance in the cabinet of Wm. E. Gladstone, leader of the Birmingham peace party and largely responsible for the change in front of the cabinet relative to Boer affairs. When Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood sent his famous message that he had the Boers in the hollow of his hand, Lord Hortington wanted orders sent to crush the Boer republic, but Chamberlain's influence was potent for peace and he brought about the subsequent convention with the Transvaal at which time a new agreement was signed by which England specifically gave up her claim to suzerainty except in regard to treaties with foreign powers. These documents are known as the London conventions and were signed in 1884. Notwithstanding all this Chamberlain now claims the right to interfere in the internal government of the Transvaal. The present troubles have grown directly out of Chamberlain's claim of the right to interfere with the regulations of the republic relative 10 granting the franchise to uitlanders.
He has no more moral right to do this than the United States has to interfere in the franchise regulations of Canada. Certainly the tiring of regulations by which foreigners may become naturalized and receive the right to vote are a part of internal governmental affairs, as to which England specifically renounced all rights by the London conventions of 1884.
Not longer ago than 1896 Chamberlain himself distinctly repudiated all claim to overlordship in the Boer republic except in its relations with other nations. He said:

"A war in south Africa would be one of the most serious wars that could possibly be waged. It would be a long war, a bitter war, and a costly war, and, as I have pointed out already, I believe generations would hardly be able to blot out the memory of it; and to go to war with President Kruger to enforce upon him reforms in the internal affairs of his state, in which Secretaries of State, standing in their place, have repudiated all right of interference- that would be a course of action which would be immoral. "

From whence then comes the right to demand, as he has done, that the volksraad shall pass a law making any white man elegible to citizenship after five years residence without forswearing his allegiance to his native country? Simply the right of might.
It is true of course that the uitlanders have real grievances, but not such as would lead England to interfere in the internal affairs of a first class nation. Were it not for the covetousness of the English character. the differences would be easily gotten along with. The Transvaal has immensely rich gold mines and it breaks the continuity of British South African possessions and therefore Britain wants it.
Anglo-Saxon supremacy then might accomplish more for civilization. But the advancement of civilization is a very secondary matter in the controversy. The policy of the English government is always commercial. Britain has the power to work its will in the Transvaal and she will in all probability bring it under her control sooner or later, nevertheless the Boers will have much of the sympathy of the civilized world behind them.

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Admiral Dewey is said to have remarked, relative to his becoming a candidate for president: " The navy is one profession; politics is another. l am too old to learn a new profession." These are words of wisdom and, if adhered to, will save the great seaman much trouble.
He will be a greater man in history, if he remains contended with his fame as a great naval captain. The presidency would add nothing to his reputation and glory and might detract much.

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New York's Dewey celebration bids fair to be the greatest event of the kind in our history. Never before has there been shown so much public spirit manifested in the preparation for such an event.
The illumination, the fireworks, the parade, the breakfast have all been arranged for on the most elaborate scale and with good taste. The festivities will attract enormous crowds to the city.
Everywhere where possible stands for viewing the parade are being erected and even Windows and door steps are at a premium. Dewey day will be a great and inspiring occasion.

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And now comes King Corlos of Portugal with a pamphlet in which he sets forth the reasons why Spain should become a dependency of Portugal. Poor old Spain ! the proud, the once mighty in leading strings to itself sufficient but unconsidered neighbor, which represents about the lowest white civilization in Europe.
Portugal, the sovereign of the haughty Spaniard! But for Spain's humiliation, the suggestion would be a casus belli.

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Senator Berenger of France has written an open letter in which he declares the French authorities must take prompt action to prevent vicious amusements and concert halls from engulfing France on the occasion of next years exposition in a world-wide execration.
The exposition, he says will draw into the country the cosmopolitan corruption of the universe The letter is timely and will probably spur the authorities to action in order that the public decency may be respected.
There is no question but that the Chicago exposition brought to this country farms of vice and vicious amusements that were never known here before. They are here yet and are here to stay. It is certainly praiseworthy in the senator to try to create all the sentiment possible against making his country a "second Babylon '' during the exposition and thereafter.