We greatly regret that Miss Hobhouse should have been prevented
from delivering her address on the refugee camps in London owing to the impossibility of obtaining a room. We do not wonder that the speeches and writings of many of the Pro-Boers should have created indignation owing to their violence and exaggeration, but nothing is gained by suppressing opinion, however misguided. The Pro-Boers must be allowed the most absolute free speech whatever the results, but in fact the results can only be favourable to the side to which they are opposed. We may add that we note with great pleasure that the Victoria League, through its officers, Lady Jersey, Lady Tweedmouth, and Mrs. Lyttelton, is setting to work to help in alleviating the sufferings of the refugees. They have received a sympa- thetic letter from Mr. St. John Brodrick in reply to their appeal, welcoming their efforts to provide comforts beyond the necessaries which the Government supplies. Mr. Brodrick very properly also points out the need for helping the loyal subjects of the Crown in South Africa who are suffering so terribly owing to the war. That is sound. We must not in our pity for the Boers—though that pity is most praiseworthy —forget our own flesh and blood.
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