The San Francisco call., 1899-10-15

predicted in these dispatches as be-
ing the inevitable climax to hope
IL less things, has come at last and is
now in full swing for the subjection
OF the little republic whose whole mill
tary sun rises and sets at Majuba Hill.
Great Britain has set going machinery
more powerful than that which crushed
Napoleon and twice as strong as that
which gave her Egypt and the Soudan
General Sir ReGvers Butler has gone ana
already the Boer bullets have sung song
Of desperate defiance.
That the next few weeks will be marked
by sharp lighting can almost be taken
for granted. That the result Will prob
ably be for a time not too favorable TO
the British IS also to be admitted. The
main question IS how long are hostlities
TO last. The ultimate English victory IS
almost assured by virtue Of oyerwhelm-
ing strength
A forecast Of the length and nature Of
the campaign should not be ventured
without knowledge Of an extraordinary
circumstance communicated to the Asso-
ciated Press on most reliable authority,
though hitherto not printed in England,
namely, that General Butler has gone
TO take entire control of the South Afrt-
can situation. He will be as absolute
as was Wellington and less hampered
than was Kitchener. Therefore, not only
the conduct OF the war lies in his discre-
ton, but also virtually the future of all
South Africa, and no representations are
of value without first taking into con-
sideratiOn his personal character for OBJ
sUnanCy and frankness, traits responsible
for the supremacy he has attained.
Two months ago the Secretary Of State
for War. the Marquis Of Lansdowno, Of
fered Butler command of the projected
army corps. Sir Redvers gave a point
blank refusal unless the War Office would
guarantee him between sixty and seventy
thousand men. He is quoted as having
said on that occasion: Il shall not be
handed down in history as another Sir
George Colley."
The reference was Of course to the de-
feat at Majuba HilI. He also said that If
he We're TO go it must be on the distinct
understanding that he could select his
own staff and would be entirely uninter-
fered with by the War Office
His request regarding the staff, 1t IS
said, was prompted by his suspicion that
Lord Wolseley would attempt 10 pay off
old scores by foisung upon him staff off,
GERS antagOnistic TO him. Lord Lans-
downe demurred. but the stronger man
prevailed, and Butler, having gained all
the points he coveted, accepted the su-
preme command Prior to Lord Lans-
downe's assent General Butler freely ex-
pressed the opinion that when he had
driven the Beers into q corner his hand
might be stayed by a peace-loving public
or a well lntenuoned War Office a condi-
ton OF things he could not tolerate, for,
Rs he expressed it, hiE hand was mot one
of those that once put to the plow re-
leases its grip"
It appears that both the Queen and the
Cabinet practically acquiesced in his de-
Tuand although of q
nominal control scarcely worth the name.
Butler is pretty certain TO cut the wires
behind him and to be out Of touch with
London at critical moments for fear the
Cabinet might change its mind.
1t is this man, then, whom some Of his
own officers do not hesitate 10 call a
brute, however much they admire his de-
termination, who holds the destiny Of the
Transvaal and the Orange Free State in
his hand. He knows the Beers and he
hates them. He has campaigned over the
whole present battle ground, and IS above
ell, a soldier from head to foot AS soon
as he reaches South Africa he viii inaug-
urate a campaign Of aggressiveness such
as the world has seldom seen, but which
he believes iustthable by virtue Of his own
superior force. The sternest measures
viii not be too stern for him. and until
the last vestige Of Dutch power, whether
IN the Transvaal, the Orange Free State
or Cape Colony, IS swept out he will not
stay his hand. The idea is well Illus
trated by Sir John Tenniel's cartoon in
this weeks Punch, representing John Bull
saying: LAS you will fight you shall have
Il this time. It is q fight to the finish
General Buffers mission is nearly in
keeping with the spirit Of the Colonial
Office. Rightly or wro1 gly, believing wan
70 be the only possible method Of solv.
ing the Transvaal trouble. those officials
have made no attempt to conceal their
satisfaction at receiving an ultimatum