1899II The Boer War 



that is. Ouzel Basin, Desolation Valley, and the 

 slopes of Mount Lyell also tell us more of what ice 

 can do than a living glacier itself. Sierran forests, 

 moreover, are beyond comparison nobler than those 

 of the Alps. The pine, fir, and larch woods of 

 Switzerland are only second growth, mere "brush" 

 by the side of our huge pines, spruces, firs, and 

 cedars. These are among the largest trees on earth, 

 while, supremely preeminent, the Giant Sequoia 

 towers above them all. 



4- 



In October, 1899, war was declared by Great 

 Britain against the two Dutch republics of South 

 Africa, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. 

 For this act no moral justification can be urged. 

 One must, of course, freely admit that President Oom 

 Kruger of the Transvaal, popularly known as ^''"/'•^ 

 "Oom (Uncle) Paul," was arbitrary as well as an- ° ^^'""^^ 

 noyingly obstinate In his dealings with British 

 gold-seekers. On the other hand, there is no doubt 

 that he had large reason to fear for the integrity 

 of his country should they be admitted to Johan- 

 nesburg and the mines on terms of political equality; 

 the lawless "Jameson raid" of 1896 gave a fore- 

 taste of their disposition. 



In my judgment, all honest differences could have Britain's 

 been composed had the intruders really wanted a ""^'"^J''-, 

 just settlement. 1 heir haste m pushmg toward 

 direct action, regardless of the successful efforts at 

 mediation on the part of President Steyn of the 

 Orange Free State, threw on them the moral re- 

 sponsibility for the monstrous catastrophe which 

 followed and raged almost three years. 



c 655 : 



