No Government, it is clear, will intervene in this war.
M. Delessee, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, made 3a Thursday a speech in the Senate in reply to an interpella- tion, in which he hinted that France would have intervened if the other Powers would, but distinctly stated that after Lord Salisbury's refusal to guarantee independence to the Boer States France alone could do nothing. America has taken a slightly differing line, the President having in- structed the Ambassador to inform Lord Salisbury, " by way of friendly good offices," that a request to intervene had been received from Pretoria, and that he should be glad to aid in any friendly manner to bring about a cessation of hostilities. The message, which was read with the reply in the House of Commons on Thursday, was most cordially acknowledged by Lord Salisbury, who thanked the American Government for the friendly tone of their communication, but stated that her Majesty's Government "does not propose to accept the inter- vention of any Power in the South African War." There is reason to believe that Dr. Leyds has convinced himself that intervention is beyond hope, and that Mr. Kruger has practi- cally superseded him, sending two agents direct from the Transvaal to visit the different Courts.
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