New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-04

the greatest nations in the world should be wildly
exulting in victory won by the flower of the Brit
ish Army a tribe of South African savages
whom year ago everybody despised and whom
the very generals they have beaten continue to
treat unworthy to enjoy the privileges and cour
tesios usually conceded 10 belligerents. Look
at the display headings in this mornings
papers. Great BattcD Decisive Battle"
Great Defeat of the Zulus"-and remark presently
that this gigantic military success has been won
with loss on the British side of ten killed and
fifty wounded. The Zulu dead are computed by
Lord Chelmsford at 1000; by Mr.. Forbes at 400.
Hearken to the rounds of vehement cheering in
the House of Commons, and consider the remark of
the journal which goes in hottest for patriotism Of
the lingo Sort that British honor has been ylndi-
Gated and British prestige completely restored"
The honor and prestige that have been retrieved IN
that way must have been in bad way beforehand.
L should be sorry to say anything so derogatory TO
England as English newspapers are saying to-day.
Nor do think thai the non-partlsan portion of the
English people are taking much part In these exu-
berent manifestations. II was remarked in the
House yesterday that the Liberal benches were
mostly silent when the great victory announced.
The Tories hailed it ss party triumph, and party
triumph it is far more than a national triumph.
This war had become a burden to the Government.
Its prooneation would have proved disaster. Sir
Garnet Wolseley was sent out with private instruc
tions to make peace on any decent terms. And that
is why the first success is hailed rs a concluding
victory. Sir Garnet, bitter though his disappointment
be at his enforced absence from the scene recog
nizes tho success at Ulund as supplying the pretext
the Government were longing for 70 withdraw hon.
orably and with some show OF glory from the con-
test they had wantOny provoked with chief and
nation who meant them no harm. Sir Bartle
Frere raises his hands in sar ctmonIOus thanksgiy
ing for the victory "yOuchsafed Her Maiesty's
forces under Lord Chelmsford in a fair fight in the
openD
Lord Chelmsford is " indicated also-to the
same extent that British honor and prestige are
vndicated. The Government are in a po-
sitlon to say-they do say this morning
through their most seryiceable organ-that
their retention in command of an unjustly dis
paraged general is justified by the result. That
also, absurd il is the face of It, Is to be
more topic of defence and self laudation on the
hushngs. Lord Chelmsford has committed bunder
upon blunder, and has at last Numbered into q
victory. But success succeeds. and who now dare
say he ought to have been removed Removed
he nevertheless was, and but for the surf
at Port Durnford which kept Sir Garnet
Wolselcy from landing, Sir Garnet and
not Lord Chelmsford would have been in
command at Ulundi. Let Lord Chelmsford. never
theless, have the credit due him. He has proved
that he can handle about 5000 troops armed with
breech-loaders in the open field with horse and ar
tiery, with sufficient skill to beat of attack Of
10000 Zuus armed in part with guns of which
they hardly know the use, but trusting mainly TO
their spears. To resist the Zulu attack, Lord
Chelmsford formed up his whole army into hollow
sOuare-ust as in the days before arms of precision
were known, a regiment with smooth-bores used to
be formed in square to receive the best cavalry Of
Europe And it is difficult to say whether
the success of this man@uvre is greeted in England
with greater surprise or delight. English troops
in Africa. we are told, have regained their conf
dence and there is obvious reason for looking to
the future without misgiving even If more fighting
has to be done! But what has become Of that i'm
mortal thin red line" which was thought good
enough TO face the solid Russian columns at the
Almai q. W. s.