Life — July 26, 1900 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee -LIFE: 6 Another Letter from Africa. Bena, E, Arnica, May 20, 1900. EAR SIR: Asan American citizen who has had an opportunity of learning something of the causes of the present war which is being fought in South Africa, and who has lived for some years both with the British and with the Boers, I am writing to protest against the tone which your paper, Lire, adopts in dealing with the war. I especially take exception to some scurrilous verses published in your issue of January 25, under the heading of “The Invincible Armada,” which, to every right-minded and decent man, must appear to exceed the limits of good taste and certainly betray a woeful ignorance of not only the causes of the war, but also of its progress. It is regrettable that a paper like Lire should descend to the level of the Paris gutter sheets, I have always been on the best of terms with my British friends, who have always scemed to have the kindliest of feelings for America and Americans, and such anti-British sentiments coming from a paper which is published in a country which owes everything to England, are simply deplorable. After the extremely friendly attitude of Great Britain towards us during our war with Spain, it scarcely seems right that an American paper should publish such disgraceful libels. It is con- duct of this kind which disgusts American gentlemen, and it is not surprising that there are many like myself who dread returning to the vulgarity and sordidness of the country of their birth. . . . With regard tothe war, for months the Boers enormously outnumbered the British forces, and failed in their attack. There has been bravery shown on both sides, and there is no doubt that, after the war, both nations will have an increased respect for one another. With regard to the charge that the Lritish are “ ogging on the niggers” to attack the Boers, this is a lie of the first water. In this country we do not permit the black element to come in, and I do not believe that the Boers have broken the tacit understanding which existed before the war, that no natives should be used as combatants on either side. Iam proud to have the honor of fighting as a volunteer with my British friends, and I can assure you that every decent American out here is as convinced as I am of the righteousness of the British cause. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Joux H. Howanp. At present serving as a volunteer with the Rhodesian Field Force, under Sir F. Carrington, Really, now, our correspondent exagger- ates in saying that the United States “‘owe everything to England.” Although we may be a poor lot, we have accomplished just a little of it ourselves. However, we sympathize with this Ameri- “can, and we regret that he should dread returning to the “ vulgarity and sordidness’’ of his native land. Much as we need the class of patriot he represents, we cannot conscientiously urge his return, He is Sulu Islander: um. ane TURY ALL LiKE You? more in harmony with his present sur- The American Advance Guard; wevonna, NAW. I'M DE Boss. THE PAPLE t roundings. And the cause in which he is RULE OVER ARE AMERICANS. fighting is evidently congenial. A WIDE DIFFERENCE.