Mr Longdill’s Reply.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 44, 21 February 1901, Page 1

Mr Longdill’s Reply.

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.)

Sir, —“Tommy Atkins,” in his letter in your esteemed issue of 14th inst., in reply, to mine of a previous date, writes: “ After all the millions of treasure,: etc., spent to bring them (the Boers) to their senses, does your correspondent expect England to stop now . . . and give them the

chance to do the same again ? ” Certainly I am not an advocate of- actions likely to lead to a repetition of the present war at some future date; but of actions likely to establish permanent peace in South Africa, a necessary condition of which ’ desirable object is to cultivate a sense of good fellowship between the Dutch and English. Though I am- at heart an Imperialist in the broadest sense, I do not believe that God gave the world" to the English to rule other or weaker nations by sheer force or by wiping them out. This being my opinion, I think it unfair for England to humiliate the Boers by asking for unconditional surrender. If the Boers are prepared to federate as an unconquered race with the British, so that one Government could be established throughout Africa, with universal suffrage for the entire people, the English should be well satisfied, even though she has to agree to bear the expense of the war. Once" we had one government for all British and Dutch Africa the Boers would have no right to take up arms without the authority of the Government, and then only for the defence of the whole country. Possibly, if properly approached,: the Boers would now be prepared to consider overtures for peace upon the above terms. Though, judging by the history of the Dutch people in the past, this even is by no means certain. But at least the suggestion is, I maintain, worthy of a trial.

I have no time to go into the various minor points discussed by “ Tommy Atkins,” and, indeed, if I had it would be unfair for me to expect you to publish them. But, in conclusion, T may state that “ Tommy Atkins ” seems to think that “ Another Resident of Gisborne ” and myself are one and the same person. In this I can assure him he is entirely wrong. —I am, etc., C. P. W. Longdill.