Needless Boer Sympathy. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 44

Needless Boer Sympathy. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — In re Major Kennedy's letter in this week's paper in reply to his critics, 1 may be pardoned for pointing out to him that with the exception of that peculiar class, the confirmed ! growlers, his notes on the war are eagerly looked i forwaid to week after week in the columns of. I the Witness. It is quite apparent that | the places in South Africa mentioned in the cables are well known to the major personally, and his grasp of the military movements, panoramic changes of position, and topographical details of localities proved long since his thorough knowledge of the position. His calm and unbiassed criticism of passing events is worthy of respect from all persons of impartial raind, and I congratulate him that with, his military zeal and training the usually atI tendant bombastic spirit of imperialism is reI fined with a spirit of fair play, and the desire Ito do justice to our enemy when- deserved. I i think, sir, you -must allow that we have been , carried too far by our loyalty, when at meetings arid partings the names of men who are doing what we would do in the event of invasion — fight to save our independence — are received with howlings and hootings ; and though I am not in any sense of the word imbued with the religious spirit I must say that the remarks of some of the clerics, both Catholic and Protestant, are not much credit either to their humanity or their creeds. Thanking Major Kennedy for his entertaining and instructive notes, and apologising for my own criticism, — I am, etc., TOILER. IN THE COUNTRY. Centre Bush, February 20. [While thanking our correspondent fox his appreciative remarks on Major Kennedy's notes, we would point out to " Toiler in the Country " that the Boers are scarcely deserving of the consideration he asks for them.; It tras they who invaded the British territory, with the object of driving the British out of South Africa, after plotting and scheming for years and years to get their preparations completed. Up to last week tho British, have practically simply acted on the defensive, so how oan our correspondent say that the Boers are " fighting to ss>Te their independence "? They are doing nothing! of the sort. They hoped, with the assistaxioe of either France or G-ennany, to drive the British out of their rightful possessions, and bring these under their own corrupt rule. Fortunately. Germany was unprepared to assist, and France dare not, however much she might desire to do so. Hence the Boers have, instead of securing the open assistance of Eiiropean nations', had to be content with the assistance of numbers of officers and thousands of men from Britain's continental neighbours, who have practically converted them into a most formidabla European army. Fortunately Britain isi competent to deal with. them ? and. it is to ba hoped that in the final settling up the most rigid means will be adopted to prevent a recurrence of the trouble. Under the circunv stances it seems to us that the spirit our correspondent complains of is quite excusable. Thei men who are execrated are solely responsible}^ for the terrible slaughter that is taking placedand we can see no reason why they 'should ba • . dealt with in a gentle spirit, whatever may be the case with th< poor dupes they have forceel into their araiy;.— Ep4