PROFESSOR CAPPON AND DR. THEAL.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOFL1 Si,—As two correspondents seem to think that I treated unfairly Professor Cappon's book, "Britain's Title in South Africa," in the Spectator of August 17th, may I point out that' they do not really meet my criticisms? Mr. Greswell and Mr. Newton in effect say that Dr. Theal's history za not to be trusted, and that Professor Cappon has done a useful service in exposing his untrustworthiness. My point was that Professor Cappon does not prove any serious omission or falsehood in Dr. Thears larger history. I expresslY sa'd that the "Story of the Nations" volume is "in places °Pell to serious objection." I do not hold any brief for Dr. Theal, but I require a great deal more evidence than Professor
= has produced 'before I can join in denouncing him Capp
for his earlier work. The interesting letter by Mr. Greswell (to whose book and articles on South Africa I owe a good deal of information, which I have elsewhere acknowledged) raisesa rather large question,—whether any stick is good enough to beat a dog, to put it in homely language. He seems to think that good Imperialists ought not to criticise harshly the work of a brother-loyalist. I venture to think that the position of those who, like myself, support to the best of their power the policy of the present Government in South Africa, will be strong in proportion as they sift their evidence. Personally, I should be glad if I could believe with Professor Cappon that England had always been right. But I cannot, and I indicated some of my reasons, which Mr. Greswell does not notice. May I just say that I think Professor Cappon. (whom I described as "straightforward ") cannot thank Mr. Greswell for saying in the same breath that (1) "he is determined to arrive at the truth," and (2) his "avowed object is to uphold the good name of Great Britain" ? It seems to me that a historical writer must take his choice : he may determine to arrive at the truth at all costs, and may then find that truth Palatable or unpalatable ; on the other hand, he may set out to uphold the good name" of a country or a party or a great man. Historians who choose the latter method are practically compelled to enlarge only on such facts as may suit their brief. It is Mr. Greswell, not I, who apparently puts Professor Cappon in the latter category alongside of
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