Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1900 — MAY BE PEACEMAKER. [ARTICLE]

MAY BE PEACEMAKER.

United States Likely to Act as Mediator in South Africa. In view of the reports of tho British defeats in South Africa, and the probability that Ladysmith will soon be compelled to surrender to the Boers, diplomats in our own national capita] would not be surprised to see Washington become the center of interest in the South African controversy. It is predicted that such a success for the Boers as the taking of Ladysmith will encourage the idea of intervention on the part' of neutral powers, in the name of humanity, to end the war. The Hague agreement has Iteen suggested as justifying just such a course, and the feeling in continental Europe is saitl to have reached an acute stage, not only because of the general sympathy for the Boers, but also because of the arbitrary seizures of neutral vessels and the general interference with neutral commerce by Great Britain. It is believed that Great Britain will not be allowed to continue to ignore the rights of neutral powers in her effort to subdue the Boers, and that the English Government is aware of the danger of intervention or compulsory mediation of her differences with the South African republic. The influences of Russia at-Pekin and the suspicious movement of Russian troops toward the Afghanistan border are also regarded as warnings. It would not be a great surprise to Washington diplomats if, after another crushing defeat, such as now seems imminent. Great Britain would turn to this Government as the most acceptable mediator.