The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-14
ROER

The face OF the war correspondents Is
beginning to wear a genial smile, and
the anxiety of "his sisters, his cousins
and his aunts" concerning his physical
and mental welfare is fast passing away.
The most nnselfish of men in the throes
of an active campaign, he is a trouble-
some person to have around in the pip
ing times Of peace" lnaction wears
him out. He finds fault with the dain-
test trlfes that a Delmonico chef can
devise for his palate, grumbles at the
champagne because it is corked, and
conducts himself generally like a bear
with the toothache. Disappointment
has lent its aid to try his temper. For
| the last twenty years, some OF the great
powers of Europe have been working
tooth and nail for the next great test OF
military power, but so far not one has
dared to knock the chip off another's
shoulder. How long is it going to last,
and how is a special war correspondent
to keep his hand in?
This time he is planting his faith on
the Dutch Beers Of South Africa.
These gentlemen nave evlnced no desire
to forget the drubbing they gave the
Britishers on the last occasion they met,
and now they seem willing to try an
other round. They are going to estab-
llsh a new republic of the north in de-
batable territory. England claims the
country, 50 does Portugal. Earliest
| rumors place their numerical strength
at 5000 men, and, with the reputation
the Beers bear as most redoubtable
marksmen, that gave promise of a very
pretty little war, with the odds in favor
of Great Britain. when staying power
was taken into account But the latest
developments are more to the specials
taste. There is no attempt at conceal
ment OF the enterprise and its inten-
tions, and that is proof number one that
the Dutchmen mean business. More
than that, they have actually got to
work. They have seized one of the
British South Africa company's
steamers, and they have stopped the
Wllloughby British expedition on its
way up the Pungwe river. Better still,
in the wal correspondents view, the
British hon is raising his back and
showing his teeth. The king of animals
began with a gruff remonstrance to
President Kruger to the effect that he
should abide by the existing agreement,
and 10 response the head of the Trans.
x-nnl rar,,1li, occ,,rol M, Pri+;,l, -,
thorities that he had effectually damped
1.-THE trek" But when no less a number
than 10000 well armed Beers, as it was
authoritately stated, were preparing fol
a ]northward march on June /, the Brit
ish government seems to have become
: seriously alarmed. Three British wa,
: ships have been dispatched to the neigh
borhood of the scene of threatened on
, erations, with instructions to the senio
Officer in command to act as he Judge
> best in defense of British interests, with
: out any delay for the purpose of cor
sultation with the authorities at HON.
More than that. in reply to a questio
: in the house of commons, the secretar
of state for wal has recently intimate
;, that troops are now IN their way t
British Bechuanaland to offer furcib.
resistance TO any attempt of the Dutc
to carry nj the proposed trek"
In the interests of Africa and clvilizf
ton, it is to be sincerely hoped tn;
a peace may prevail. 1t was only tt
n personal influence of Gladstone that il
y duced the English people to desist frol
a terrible war of attempted revene
after the disaster of Majuba Hill.
u the present conservative government
eager for an active foreign policy, the
stand Il very good chance Of further III
aster at the hands of the South Africa
Dutchmen, before they wipe out II
memory of their old defeat.