New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-25


lBY CABLE TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
London. Dec %, g. m.-Christmas calm II
not Christmas peace and Joy has already settled
over London For the first Sunday since the
opening Of the war newsboys cries were not
heard in the streets during the evening with
stop press kilograms for twopence. Few bule-
tins were displayed at the clubs and there were
no loungers TO gossip about them The War
once was deserted and the Ministers, almost
without exception. were in the country for an
interval Of rest.
Optinists here and there had clung to the hope
that either General Butler or General Methuen
might have done something at the close of the
week 10 season the Christmas dinner at home.
and that tidngs of great icy might be reserved
for Christmas Eve but there were no signs late
at night that there had been any unexpected
stroke on the Tugela or the Modder. that
fresh advance had been made in the direction
either Of Ladysmith or Kimberley. General
Kitchener had arrived at Malta and reinforce
ments and artillery were going to Butler. Such
news as there was from the seat of war was be-
lated and immaterial 1t indicated a suspension
Of hostillties all along the British line until fresh
reserves Of infantry and artillery could be OBJ
tained for a renewal of the attack upon Colenso
and Magersfontein
While the English Christmas dinner must be
eaten with the bitter herbs Of defeat and anX-
iety. judicious military critics are relieved by
the knowledge that the generals are learning the
necessity for caution and gradual approaches to
strongly intrenched positions. and are convinced
that even the bravest soldiers cannot be ex-
pected 10 work miracles by sheer gallantry. The
commonest comment now heard in the military
c1fbc is generals have underTdted the
power and resources OF modern defensive war
fare. and have attempted 10 DO in single day
by direct frontal attack work which required a
week or a fortnight Of deliberate man9uvring
and systematic hanmTng by siege operations
Both Butler and Methuen have chosen the line
OF the greatest possible resistance IN thelr last
battles and have expected TO win decisive VIC
tories al a single stroke The sooerest critics
are now convinced that English generals ana
soldiers are serving an apprenticeship IN war
fare with white men after having been untitled
for {, nv half a century Of conflict with inferior
races and that hereafter there Will be better
scouting deliberate siege operations Tor the
capture of positions too strong 10 be taken by
frontal attack with the bayonet and more enec-
tive use Of the system OF reconnaissance IN force
which was generally employed during the Amer
lean Civil War. Some writers 90 further ana
assert that radical changes in the whole ART OF
modern warfare will be wrought by the practlcdI
exhibition which the Dutch are making OF the
resources Of mounted infantry acting on the o.
fensive. with artillery Of long range ana 'ha'
there will be fewer foot soldiers and more
mounted soldiers in future European campaigns
Convincing proof that the War Office has not
expected General Butler to eat his Christmas
dinner in Pretoria is the fact that the oelated
nded Por investment or tndl
capital is stil at sea and not due at Cape To"p
FOR v,eek II would be useful in front either
Of colenso or Magersfontein. a second siege
train will nrohebIv he sent from India TO South
Africa. and third is now being SET IN orueI }"
England for shipment The delay In providing
the army with ADEQUATE artillery for enabling II
70 attack strong defensive positions tells heaViy
sgains, both the Headquarters STAFF and t'e
management Of the War Office. Naturally hoiN
AahsdoWne is exposed 10 attack. especlaly a.
"'e Intelligence Department under SH 'o""
Ardagh' seems to have reported accurate nsls %
'ne boer long range guns and as Sr "'iI'o'"
nuuer is known 10 have given warning "''
o''h AlFlca that In case Of war nfty thou'0"'
troops would be needed on the Tugeia ana o'ie
Huhored thousand for the invasion OF 'he Do''"
republics Lord Lansdowne will retire 'i''
Ndoihst be reconstructed. but probaDV u'ei'
VIII De no Ministerial changes unless serious re-
verses 10 British arms occur during the next
month
coNNAUGHT KEPT AT HOME.
IL Is now stated that the Duke Of Connaught
vas 50 eager 10 go 10 the front that he apphea
iof position as aid on Lord Robertss stan put
'ne war ONCE declined TO allow field marshal
70 waive his rank. The Duke will probably De
assigned 10 command the forces in Ireland
mere ne Will be in line for the succession 70
io "oiseiey's place. The Queen has never